Daily Fintech Podcast February 23rd 2022

Sign up for my Daily Fintech or Daily Digital Banking Newsletters here. Check out my latest podcast episode below: This podcast episode is sponsored by Uncover, the new podcast by ComplyAdvantage. Join CEO Charles Delingpole and his team as they interview compliance leaders, FinTech innovators, and financial crime experts to uncover the latest best practices and industry trends. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify today THE NEWS HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY IS On February 19, attackers stole hundreds of NFTs from OpenSea users, causing a late-night panic among the site’s broad user base. JUST IN: Mercado Pago Point is the first company with a payment transaction initiator (ITP) license to have the service operational. ALSO: The CEOs of the UK’s leading fintech firms including the likes of Monzo Bank, Starling Bank and Checkout.com have called on regulators and the UK government to speed up new reforms aimed at better financial regulation. FURTHERMORE, A new mobile banking platform called Spruce, built by tax preparation company H&R Block and powered by SoFi-owned fintech Galileo Financial Technologies, has launched in the US. WHAT ARE THE LATEST INSIGHTS? The FinTech Egypt report revealed that FinTech in Egypt has grown at a rapid pace over the last few years. As per the report, there has been a tremendous growth in venture capital investments over the last 5 years. Investments have soared by more than 300% during only the last 12 months. LET’S HEAR ALL ABOUT MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Weaver Fintech made its first acquisition of an 85% stake in PayJustNow, one of the fastest growing Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) business in Africa. WHAT ABOUT FUNDING ROUNDS AND INVESTMENTS? Recently, the UK fintech company, PrimaryBid, has secured a $190M Series C investment round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. NOW, LET’S COVER NEW LAUNCHES AND FEATURES. Abu Dhabi investment firm ADQ is set to launch a new digital banking platform called Wio UAE following an in-principle approval from the Central Bank of The UAE. A new digital “bank for youth” called LINC Jordan has launched in Jordan, which claims to take a holistic approach to supporting the country’s university students and young adults. WHAT ABOUT THOSE MOVERS AND SHAKERS? Nuvei, announced senior leadership team enhancements that further position the global payment technology partner of thriving brands to deliver on its next phase of growth. AS FOR OPPORTUNITIES Money transfer giant Wise is seeking growth in Asia-Pacific (APAC), with the announcement of 150 new hires at its Singapore office this year.