Finance's continuing shift to digital is moving more and more from a potential future to a day-to-day reality. FinTech investments have more than doubled in the first quarter of this year, and while Bitcoin continues to rise and fall in a spectacularly volatile fashion, mainstream banking's new focus on the sector speaks to an institutional core that cryptocurrencies have never … [Read more...] about May 2021 in FinTech: Crypto’s Wild Ride
Continuing the Growth of Cannabis Banking
Recreational marijuana is now legal in 16 states - with medical usage legal in 36. It's now a thriving billion-dollar industry in those states -- but it remains in an uncertain position, heavily reliant on cash and with uncertain prospects for banking partners due to the continued federal prohibition. The challenges are more difficult than some industries, to be sure; due to … [Read more...] about Continuing the Growth of Cannabis Banking
FinTech Funding Doubles; Crypto Prices Plunge
Private and public investments in FinTech firms surged in the first quarter of 2021. Research firms are predicting that 2021 will set a record for FinTech funding. Understanding what sectors and regions receive venture funding provides perspective to traditional financial institutions, notes The Financial Brand in its coverage. "Seeing where venture capital money is flowing. … [Read more...] about FinTech Funding Doubles; Crypto Prices Plunge
Navigating a Path to Digital Assets
It’s been a theme throughout the year: digital assets like Bitcoin are breaking into mainstream financial services. The expectation is that technology can bring its services to the consumer on a pre-dawn Sunday when they want to make an impulse buy – and that’s exactly what digital assets enable. They let financial institutions put a disposable asset in the hands of a … [Read more...] about Navigating a Path to Digital Assets
What Does the Future of Digital Finance Hold for Banks?
Note: The truism that the price of financial assets is correlated to events and the pronouncements of the institutions and individuals correlation of cryptocurrencies to news reports became even more apparent on Wednesday morning. A report by Chinese regulators that virtual currencies are not "real" currencies sparked this selloff. The selloff earlier in the week resulted from … [Read more...] about What Does the Future of Digital Finance Hold for Banks?
April 2021: The Month in FinTech
Our April stories mirrored many of those themes through articles covering banks' continuing investment in FinTech and the increasing legitimation of cryptofinance within traditional financial institutions. Here's a review. Banking on FinTech U.S. banks made more than 65 strategic bets in FinTech in 2020. Capital markets investments led the way. “Despite the economic … [Read more...] about April 2021: The Month in FinTech