Latest news headlines: Finextra Research

Australian banks launch nationwide Confirmation of Payee scheme

Australia's banks have begun the roll-out of a nationwide Confirmation of Payee programme to help protect customers from being tricked into sending money to criminals.

02 July 2025

/crypto

Bitget launches zero-fee crypto card with Mastercard support

Mastercard, Bitget Wallet, and Immersve are launching a zero-fee crypto card that enables users to spend their crypto at more than 150 million merchants globally.

02 July 2025

/crypto

Hokkoku and Soft Space to roll out SoftPOS tool that supports stablecoin transactions

Hokkoku Financial Holdings is working with Soft Space to develop a SoftPOS product that enables merchants to accept both contactless card payments and regulated stablecoin payments using only a smartphone or tablet.

02 July 2025

/crypto

Circle applies for national trust bank status

Stablecoin firm Circle has applied to create a national trust bank, moving further into the mainstream following its blockbuster IPO last month.

01 July 2025

/payments

ECB commits to distributed ledger technology settlement plans

The European Central Bank has agreed to a dual-track strategy for integrating distributeed ledger technology with Target settlement services in the wholesale market.

01 July 2025

/startups

AI-led RegTech startup Zango raises $4.8 million

London-based Zango AI has raised $4.8 million to overhaul financial compliance systems with AI agents.

01 July 2025

/startups

Fintech M&A picks up pace

Consolidation in the fintech sector is happening at pace, with disclosed deal value for transactions over $100 million in the first half of the year already close to double the total for all of 2024, according to new analysis from investment bank Artis Partners.

01 July 2025

/retail

Swedbank acquires digital mortgage brand Stabelo

Swedbank has acquired Stabelo, a tech-led mortgage business with a focus on younger, more digitally-aware customers.

01 July 2025

/payments

Yonder launches debit cards

British credit card rewards startup Yonder has launched its first premium debit cards.

01 July 2025

/payments

Pan-African card scheme launches

The first Pan-African card scheme has launched in a move designed to bolster the continent's financial sovereignty.

01 July 2025

/retail

Natech secures $33 million ahead of launch of Greek digital bank

Greek core banking vendor Natech has completed a Series B capital increase, securing over $33 million in growth funding.

30 June 2025

/ai

AI agent running vending machine business has identity crisis

An AI agent running a small vending machine company tried to fire its workers, became convinced it was a real person, and then lied about it in an experiment at Anthropic.

30 June 2025