Crypto exchange Kraken lands EU e-money licence, secures VASP registration in Spain
The San Francisco-headquartered exchange plans to leverage the approvals to power its European expansion.
Spain
Santander reorganises structure to streamline operations
The bank has merged its retail and commercial businesses and created a new digital consumer banking business.
BaaS fintech Swan plans European expansion with €37m Series B
France-based Swan will be launching in the Netherlands and Italy.
US fintech Block set to close European payments app Verse
The move is part of Block’s plans to reduce brand spending.
Banco Santander, BBVA and CaixaBank team up to tackle fraud with FrauDfense
FrauDfense is a new company set up to enable the exchange of information between the three banks.
Santander reportedly looks to boost investment banking operations with new hires
Reuters reports Santander is making at least 50 new hires in a push to become a major investment banking player.
Turkish fintech Papara acquires Spanish neobank Rebellion Pay
Papara calls the acquisition a “crucial step” in its European expansion strategy.
BBVA to hire over 2,600 technology experts in 2023
Of the amount foreseen for 2023, the bank says 1,200 professionals have already joined this year.
CaixaBank launches FXWallets service for international payments
FXWallets is currently available in pilot mode for select customers, with a wider rollout planned for September.
Orange in exclusive negotiations with BNP Paribas as it looks to exit retail banking market
The move follows a strategic review of Orange’s banking business launched several months ago.
Europe funding round-up: DJUST, Apron, Trezy and more
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across Europe.
CaixaBank launches new app to turn Android devices into POS terminals
The solution is compatible with Visa and Mastercard and offers the same level of security as a traditional POS.
Spain’s CaixaBank partners Google Cloud to drive digitalisation
The partnership will see the bank leverage Google Cloud’s cloud computing, data analytics and AI/ML capabilities.
ID Finance bags $30m debt facility to boost growth in Mexico
The facility follows a recent €30 million equity fundraise led by UK-based asset manager Kingsway Capital.
UTP Group set to acquire Wellet’s Spanish business
Launched in 2021, Wellet is a card payment app that uses similar technology to UTP Group’s Tapeeno.
Spanish fintech ID Finance lands €30m equity funding
ID Finance claims its fundraise is the biggest received by a Spanish fintech in 2023.
Nexi to acquire 80% of Sabadell’s merchant acquiring business for €280m
The all-cash deal worth €280 million values the business at €350 million.
Santander reportedly in discussions to purchase Abrdn’s private equity unit
A deal could be made in the next few months with the unit valued at around £250m, Sky News reports.
Europe fintech funding round-up: Kennek, Mazepay, Uniify and Snab
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news from around the world.
BBVA migrates its investment banking platform to the cloud with AWS
BBVA says the AWS platform “provides greater computing power” to make financial market-related calculations.
Finnish crypto firm Coinmotion lands Bank of Spain authorisation
The Bank of Spain has initiated registration for crypto providers as it seeks to clamp down on money laundering.
European fintech Novicap bags €200m debt facility from Fasanara Capital
Novicap will use the funding to accelerate its growth, boost its credit portfolio and develop new solutions.
PagoNxt names Amazon VP of finance Olatz Urroz as new CFO
Urroz, who has worked at Amazon since 2019, will start her new role in December.
Pleo and TravelPerk team up for travel expense automation
TravelPerk’s platform will simplify and automate the travel expense experience for Pleo’s users.
Spanish employee benefits platform Cobee raises €40m Series B
Cobee plans to expand throughout southern Europe and into Latin America, particularly Mexico.
Mastercard partners bpost and Nickel to launch inclusive card options
Belgium’s bpost and France’s Nickel will offer Mastercard’s True Name option to customers.
Spanish banking sector to explore use of digital euro
Financial institutions will analyse the technical, operational and business implications of a digital euro.
Santander partners VC firm Forgepoint for new cybersecurity investment company
The bank is expecting to invest up to €300m in the strategic partnership.
Crypto-powered banking platform BVNK secures Spanish digital asset registration
BVNK is looking to expand across the European Union and beyond.
European community fintech 11Onze launches SME banking app
11Onze chair James Sène says SMEs are “the lifeblood of our communities and global economies”.
Spanish BNPL fintech SeQura lands €150m financing facility from Citi
The funding will support the firm’s expansion across southern Europe.
Proptech IMMO hires Hima Mandali as new CTO
Mandali will be responsible for scaling and developing the firm’s platform and products.
Europe fintech funding round-up: Currensea, Zeed, BKN301 and pfs
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across Europe.
Santander Mexico CEO Héctor Grisi to lead banking multinational in 2023
He will replace José Antonio Álvarez as group CEO next year, following a transition period.
CaixaBank and Microsoft establish AI innovation lab
The projects will aim to improve efficiency, customer experience, cybersecurity and other areas.
Challenger banks Allica and Plazo turn to Mambu for tech
Allica Bank is live with Mambu’s core, while Plazo will use the vendor’s tech to support its lending business.
Former Mastercard EVP Kush Saxena appointed as new CEO of PagoNxt Merchant Solutions
Kush Saxena will step into his new role in mid-June.
Santander uses in-house cloud tech to digitise core banking
Santander expects to fully complete the transition within the next two to three years.
Payroll fintech Symmetrical.ai raises $18.5m in Series A funding
The round saw participation from Target Global, Global Founders Capital, Finch Capital and Partech, among others.
Mobile tax app Taxfix lands unicorn status with $220m Series D funding
The round saw participation from Teachers’ Venture Growth, Index Ventures, Valar Ventures, Creandum and Redalpine.
