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Well done Anne Boden and Starling for redistributing growth and jobs beyond the SE of England. It makes sense in so many ways.

Errr. The cost / benefit analysis for the UK CMA9 banks is that the regulator won't further shame you, fine you, break you up or shut you down.

There is also a more positive spin on innovating with new services to remain relevant to your customers. But I suspect the first argument is enough.

Responding to A Finextra Member. People working in the industry know certain metrics are for bragging and prove little, while other metrics give a more realistic view. 

Using selective KPIs to create a halo of 'momentum' is one thing, but disagree with your statement: <investors should not complain - Fintechs are beneficial to society and investors should gladly accept not to get information on performance>

‘Investors’ are also owners of the business. They deserve appropriate and accurate information.

Worth watching this video. Highlights some of the bigger implications for society of adopting digital currency. Issues that are often overlooked by crypto evangelists or tech enthusiasts but that need wider consideration and discussion. 

In a follow up session at Money2020 where the announcement was made, Uber's Matt Wegner framed the initiative as being motivated as much by extending the service offer to Uber's drivers, as by becoming a revenue stream. 

With competition for drivers fierce, and most drivers needing their cash quickly, the ability to lodge funds into bank accounts immediately a ride is complete, rather than a few days later, will be a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining drivers. 

Credit to Denizen for calling this out in public when the natural inclination would be to quietly slip away below the radar. Recognizing - and accepting - when you simply don't have 'escape velocity' is not usually an attribute that startup founders possess. 

Speaking as a representative of the male half of the population, pretty sure leather, denim and other cards are all involved in my back pocket where I keep my wallet.

No-one mention MySpace.

Interesting.

At M2020 Europe, Facebook's Paulette Rowe referenced their WhatsApp pilot in India. It caught the eye because the 'pilot' reportedly had one million users (which provides banks with a bit of perspective on the scale of Big Tech).

If I remember correctly, Facebook had tracked user behaviour around sharing images within WhatsApp but then promptly leaving the app. It became apparent users were sharing and discussing goods to buy and sell but were going elsewhere to complete their purchase. Hence the goal was to allow users to start and finish their transactions inside the app.

In a separate thread on LinkedIn, one of the founders of a long established crypto currency, called out Amazon and Google, as the next most likely to jump.

As you say, interesting times.