The industry calmed down as the post-holiday activities resumed in earnest.
- NASDAQ launched an interesting IPO data tool;
- CME and DTCC revealed a cross-margin product;
- The BIS unveiled a privacy-oriented CBDC;
- What is the depth of financial stress for Americans? (read on to find out)
- The CFPB proposed new rules to reduce charges for consumers;
- Plus, AgentSync was busy with a new insurance industry API;
- And much more!
As always, this is your week in digital wealth!
WealthTech, RegTech, Regulatory, and Treasury
Spring could get pretty hot per IPOs with the NASDAQ IPO Pulse Index, a data tool that measures niche activity. Additionally, the tool suggests an all-time high not seen since 2021.
The NASDAQ Capital Access Platforms launched the solution.
CME Group/The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC)
CME, a financial services behemoth, and DTCC, a premier market infrastructure firm, revealed that its enhanced cross-margining solution, a partnership between both parties, is live.
The solution improves capital flows for parties trading and clearing CME Group Interest Rate futures and Treasury instruments. Consequently, eligible members of the Government Securities Division (GSD) of DTCC’s Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) and CME Group clearing unit can cross-margin a wide range of products, including Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond futures, CME Group SOFR futures alongside FICC-cleared U.S. Treasury bonds and notes.
FlexTrade Systems
On January 24, FlexTrade Systems, a boutique trading solutions firm, launched FlexNIMS, an issue management system that takes care of the whole process.
Key players can now evaluate interest, undertake IPOs, run compliance checks, block trade, and do several other things with FlexNIMS.
Crypto, Blockchain, and Digital Assets
Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BIS)/Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HMA)
As part of its 2024 plans, the BIS unveiled a CBD-focused “Project Aurum”. Project Aurum is a privacy-oriented CBDC project developed in partnership with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HMA).
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
In a January 23 report, FINRA released the results of a November 2022 examination that examined crypto communications. The agency revealed that 70% of the 500 observed broke its Rule 2210, which forbids exaggerated and misleading communications.
Additionally, FINRA recommended that broker-dealer interactions should be fair and balanced and that firms should ensure compliance with existing rules.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
According to a January 25 consumer advisory, the CFPB warned that new scams that promise exponential returns using AI trading bots have emerged. The regulator iterated that the bots can’t predict the future price movements of cryptocurrency tokens.
Additionally, Rostin Behnam, the CFTC Chairman, separately called for new legislation for spot Bitcoin ETFs following recent approvals by the SEC.
FinTech, Personal Finance, and Apps
MX Technologies
Data-driven MX Technologies on January 24 unveiled the launch of Customer Analytics, its solution to enhance data insights and more for financial institutions.
Customer Analytics improves several operational areas for financial institutions, including ad campaign improvements and customer retention.
Numbers from LegalShield, the all-American legal service firm, show that people (currently) face financial stress more than ever. The LegalShield December Consumer Stress Legal Index (CSLI) reached 66.7%, the highest since 2020.
Webull/Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal
In a January 25 announcement, Webull, a premier financial leader, unveiled its partnership with the Newscorp-owned Dow Jones to aid retail investors. Consequently, content from the WSJ will be available within the Webull App via its news feed.
Adobe, the software giant, reached out across the border in Maple Country to cooperate with Nuvei, a leading payment services firm. The collaboration integrates Adobe Commerce with Nuvei’s API.
Banking, Payments, and Infrastructure
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
On January 25, the CFPB unveiled proposals that could eliminate insufficient funds (NSF) and other fees.
Also, the proposal covers several fees large banks charge customers, including declined transactions at several interactions. The new rule will (if approved) classify these fees as unlawful per the Consumer Financial Protection Act.
In a January 25 press release, Santa Clara, California-based ServiceNow revealed a five-year collaboration with Visa, the payments behemoth, to change the industry. Starting with the launch of the ServiceNow Disputes Management solution (with Visa), the partnership aims to create solutions and frameworks that benefit everyone.
Navy Federal Credit Union/Oracle
Navy Federal Credit Union, America’s largest retail credit union, partnered with Oracle, the technology giant, to integrate several solutions. The cooperation integrates Oracle Banking Account Cloud, the Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and the Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM).
Grow Financial Federal Credit Union/NCR Atleos
In related news, Tampa, Florida-based Grow Financial Credit Union partnered with NCR Atleos, the boutique financial infrastructure firm, to update its 70,000 (as claimed) ATM network and improve self-service banking options across America.
REtech, InsurtTech and Investing
North Star Mutual Insurance Company/Kalepa
Midwest specialist insurance firm North Star Mutual revealed its collaboration with Kalepa, a leading InsurTech, to utilize its Copilot underwriting solution. North Star had initially deployed Copilot before the selection.
AgentSync, a leading compliance-focused InsurTech, unveiled ProducerSync API, a new solution that vertically integrates the producer and adjuster licensing process via integrations with the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
Additionally, ProducerSync API reduces paperwork processes for players in the ecosystem, including MGAs, agencies, and carriers.
Newgen Software/Guidewire
Newgen Software, a niche FinTech leader, revealed the availability of the Guidewire Cloud-validated accelerators within the Guidewire Marketplace ecosystem. Consequently, the solution improves the documentation process for the industry, giving everyone a digital-focused edge.
