Top fintech stories this week – 8 December 2017
Catch up on Banking Technology’s top five fintech stories of the week – all in one place!
Innovation
Deloitte: passwords about to become a thing of the past
New research from Deloitte has pointed the finger at biometrics for one of the big trends of 2018 as we start to forget our passwords
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 7 December 2017
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up – features a nasty hack on NiceHash; Pundi X in Indonesia; a Deluge Network for ICOs; and Blockchain Centre Vilnius in Lithuania.
The missing link: the supply side of cryptocurrency
Supply and demand are the bedrock of market-based economics. To achieve economic equilibrium, supply and demand must be in balance. If one is too high or too low, the system is in a state of disequilibrium, associated with inefficient allocation of goods – not a healthy state.
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IBM’s Power9-based AC922 system designed for AI workloads
IBM is ready to start shipping the first commercial server systems built around its recently released Power9 processor. Dubbed the AC922 Power Systems, these servers will ship by the end of December, and are specifically designed for artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.
Convenience versus control: getting the balance right
Nick Kerigan, MD of Future Payments at Barclaycard, looks at how innovation is helping the payment industry to balance offering seamless payments with keeping people in control of their money.
Fintech funding round-up: 4 December 2017
Coming straight after Friday’s (1 December) fintech funding action, here’s another round-up to take the Monday blues away. This round-up features Oakam, KeyBank, Snapsheet, Payrailz and Elsen.
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 5 December 2017
Our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up features R3’s Corda and AWS; gambling with McDonalds; XinFin in Singapore; and Cardano Foundation and Z/Yen Group teaming up.
Mastercard calls for fintech start-ups
Mastercard has put its cards on the table with a clear call for start-ups to join its Start Path programme – its effort to tap into later-stage fintech and tech firms.
Fintech funding round-up: 1 December 2017
Who doesn’t love a trilogy? Following on from the round-ups on Thursday (30 November) and Tuesday (28 November) here’s another slice of fintech funding action. Features Deposit Solutions, Hanson Robotics’ Sophia, and BNP Paribas Asset Management. Germany’s Deposit Solutions, an open banking platform for deposits, has closed an investment round of $20 million led by […]
Allianz accelerates to new digital investments
Allianz with its in-house incubator, Allianz X, has switched gears and pivoted towards a new range of digital investments.
Fintech funding round-up: 30 November 2017
Quickly following on from Tuesday’s (28 November) funding round-up, here are more stories from a cash-drenched world. Features 1QB Information Technologies, FinTecSystems, Betalo, Nordea and Constellation Digital Partners. 1QB Information Technologies (1QBit), a quantum computing firm based in Vancouver, has closed a CA$45 million ($34.9 million) Series B round comprising equity and revenue contracts. This […]
FIS seeks API effect with Code Connect
FIS has unveiled Code Connect – an online gateway that allows its clients and third-party developers to access FIS APIs for use in developing and testing new solutions. With APIs more popular than free alcohol at a fintech conference, FIS joins the masses seeking to capitalise on the API fever. Code Connect includes more than […]
The AI arms race might be a bit more dangerous than you think
In the tech world, an arms race usually a metaphor for two companies battling for supremacy, but McAfee thinks it might be a bit more literal for artificial intelligence (AI) as hackers upskill to make use of the breakthrough, reports Telecoms.com (Banking Technology‘s sister publication). As one of its predictions for 2018, security software vendor […]
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 29 November 2017
Bitcoin high, Russian firsts, trade finance digitisation, US moves, and an interoperability alliance. Another day of action in the busy blockchain and Bitcoin world. Features Sberbank, IBM, Infosys Finacle, BitFlyer and the Blockchain Interoperability Alliance. Doubt you missed it, but Bitcoin has reached an all time high of $10,000. We were inundated with similar comments […]
Amazon closes cloud performance gap with “bare metal instances”
Amazon Web Services (AWS) kicked off its annual re:Invent conference with a new service designed to make its cloud more competitive to enterprise IT in performance and security, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). EC2 Bare Metal Instances gives enterprises the “best of both worlds,” Peter DeSantis, AWS VP of global infrastructure, said, […]
AlphaPoint plans new public blockchain network
AlphaPoint has announced plans to build a new public blockchain network that will enable users to digitise real-world assets and monetise them across new markets, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). The network, dubbed the AlphaPoint Public Network (APN), will be the first public blockchain built based on Intel SGX technology. AlphaPoint will fund […]
Bankers and retailers – will we see roles switch? Or simply morph into a single discipline?
Technology is having a tremendous impact on the way communities shop so changes are more or less expected as we see these shopping mall operators push back on so many dire predictions being made about them. But can they change and yes, could these changes lead to a greater overlap with banking as it exists today? Do we even need differentiation between the two and yes, will they both be able to keep us satisfied when it comes to access to our cash?
Fintech funding round-up: 28 November 2017
No slowing down when it comes to the fintech funding action and this week we’ve got three of the latest stories for another ever-informative round-up. Featuring MoneyMe, TreasuryXpress and Chip.
BehavioSec’s behavioural biometrics right match for Crossmatch
BehavioSec has partnered with identity management firm Crossmatch in a deal that will add keystroke capture to Crossmatch’s composite authentication platform, DigitalPersona, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). “We selected BehavioSec’s platform because they are singularly focused on behavioural biometrics and have well-established and proven technology that already serves more than 35 million end […]
Infographic: a look at blockchain technology
This nifty infographic by PWC looks at the blockchain tech, how it works, its benefits and unknowns, cryptocurrency and potential applications.
Debunking six myths on regulatory sandboxes
We are living through a period of unprecedented innovation in finance, and regulators know they need to adapt to keep up with the fast pace of change. To understand and manage the risks posed by new products, services, and business models, many financial authorities are setting up regulatory sandboxes or reglabs.
Wealthtech: a market poised for extended growth
Rapid changes are occurring in the wealth management space and the level of disruption in how advice and capital are managed is only beginning. Wealth management is a monumental industry. The players in the space run the gamut from gigantic hedge funds to individuals who manage their own investments. This changing wealth management landscape is driving a significant uptick in transactions.
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 24 November 2017
That Friday feeling isn’t complete without another round of the latest blockchain and Bitcoin news! Following on from yesterday (23 November) our latest covers Globitex, Billion and Bitcoin Gold.
Fintech alliance round-up: 23 November 2017
It’s that time again where alliances are formed and friendships are made in our latest co-operative filled round-up. Featuring the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Iran and Malaysia planning to establish banking ties.
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 23 November 2017
Following on from the action on Tuesday (21 November), our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up focuses on partnerships and future potential. Featuring BDA, Bitstamp, ModulTrade and Bank of Japan.
ING has a thing for data analytics
ING Wholesale Banking has set out its plans to increase investments in data analytics and put more resources into Asia and the Americas. It’s very early days as its ambitions and goals offer no real specifics. Stats and timelines are like good service in shops in the UK – i.e. almost nowhere to be seen. […]
Interview: Nadish Lad, Volante – destiny and dreams
In an exclusive interview with payment specialist Volante Technologies, Nadish Lad, director – head of payments product, explains the firm’s foundation, vision and its key unique selling propositions (USPs).
RiskMinds Live: streamed sessions from RiskMinds International
We’re live streaming from RiskMinds International 2017!
Payments round-up: 20 November 2017
It pays to pay attention to the pacey payments precinct. Our latest round-up comprises Glint’s golden launch, BillPro’s licence and QR codes in Singapore. Glint, an electronic payment system that enables gold to be used as a currency, has launched its account and app based technology in the UK. Jason Cozens, CEO, Glint, says: “Everyone […]
Faure to fintech – what music can teach us about communicating the benefits of tech
On the surface Handel or Shostakovich seem a world away from the world of finance. Yet, strange as it may seem, the similarities are there. This is because both the mechanics behind music and the technology underpinning the digital transformation are – unless you’ve had first-hand experience of either – pretty abstract concepts to understand.
What a Swell Sibos we had
One of the more entertaining aspects of this year’s Sibos in Toronto was the continuation of the rivalry between the event’s host, Swift, and distributed ledger technology (DLT) firm Ripple.
All aboard the Amex blockchain payments express
American Express has launched blockchain-enabled, business-to-business cross-border payments with Santander using Ripple’s network. The Amex FX International Payments (FXIP) business is working with Ripple to make blockchain payments commercially available, “reducing the time and cost of settlement”. Santander UK is the selected partner to initiate this new transaction channel. Marc Gordon, EVP and CIO at […]
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 16 November 2017
Coming straight after yesterday’s (15 November) action, here’s our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up. Features Mastercard in a patent place, ING Bank opening up, and another warning from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Let’s start with yet another patent. Mastercard has jumped on the blockchain payments bandwagon by filing “Method and System for Instantaneous Payment […]
EyeLock docks with ViaTouch for iris-powered payments
Iris-based biometric authentication specialist EyeLock has signed an agreement with ViaTouch Media that will integrate EyeLock’s technology within ViaTouch’s smart-shelf vending solution, Vicki. David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology‘s sister company) reports that EyeLock CEO Jim Demitrieus says the agreement was the culmination of years of working with firms from a variety of industries to bring embedded […]
Brief: Digitizing the Bank
Read this brief to get best practices and expert advice from SEFCU, one of the 50 largest credit unions in the U.S, on how they went from their first electronic signature to fully digital workflows using DocuSign.
Core banking: true digital banking requires innovation on all layers
By adopting a layered model that moves the focus from presentation to orchestration, banks can deliver an omni-access digital service that truly works for customers, says Peter-Jan Van de Venn, CCO of Dutch digital core banking platform provider Five Degrees.
Slow growth, new regulation and digitisation – driving innovation in the banking sector
Since the global financial crisis the banking industry has witnessed three mega-trends: slow growth, digitisation and new regulation. None of these trends look likely to abate any time soon and in fact, it appears that all of them are set to intensify in the short to medium term.
Finastra Universe London 2017: open banking and the rise of AI
Finastra has revealed its focus on the open innovation of smart technologies in banking, alongside artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning/deep learning.
