Happy New Month!
Product updates aren’t new, but they surely made a difference this past week. Credit unions were also on the go and instant payments appear to be flourishing. Plus software integrations reigned. Talk about innovation!
- The IPO game was changed forever with an integration from Virtu Financial;
- Bloomberg stayed current with Basel endgame rules;
- ESG FinTechs were in focus with a Wyoming upstart;
- There were new sidechains and access in the crypto sector;
- The Fed approved Green Dot’s compliance measures, and
- Digisure (sadly) closed its doors (and not for a lack of growth, read why below);
As always, it’s your week in Digital Wealth!
WealthTech, RegTech, Regulatory, and Treasury
Overbond/Neptune Networks
Overbond, the boutique fixed-income solutions provider, revealed its integration with Neptune Networks, the market data bridge. Additionally, the cooperation enhances trade solutions, providing analytics and improved data access.
Bloomberg L.P.
To keep up with current Basel III endgame rules, Bloomberg, the financial behemoth, updated its Multi-Asset Risk System (MARS). The risk solution now caters to regional regulations.
Virtu Financial/ClearingBid
IPOs have changed forever with a partnership between Virtu Financial and ClearingBid, the tech-focused IPO upstart. Players within Virtu’s ecosystem can place secondary market limit orders.
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE)/IPC Systems
Traders now have a new solution via a partnership between ICE, the premier exchange operator, and IPC Systems, a communications-focused solutions firm for the financial industry (ICE Voice).
Additionally, ICE Voice is integrated with ICE Chat, improving trade flows and more.
Crypto, Blockchain, and Digital Assets
To make things easy for institutional investors, Kraken, the San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange, launched a new brand (Kraken Institutional).
Kraken Institutional integrates all the exchange’s institutional-focused current products.
In related news, the Blockchain Association, an industry advocacy group, filed an amicus brief supporting Kraken’s position in its ongoing legal drama with the SEC.
Users of Robinhood’s self-custody wallet can (now) access Arbitrum, a Layer-2 scaling solution for the Ethereum blockchain. Additionally, plans are (reportedly) underway to introduce cross-chain swaps and improve access to Web3 ecosystems.
Marathon Digital
Marathon Digital, a leading cryptocurrency mining firm, unveiled Anduro, a sidechain built on the Bitcoin blockchain. The cryptocurrency mining firm aims that Anduro will (likely) become the application layer for the Bitcoin blockchain, with multichain access plans (reportedly) in the pipeline.
FinTech, Personal Finance, and Apps
Multiple endpoint payments are now possible with a partnership between Checkbook, a leading payments FinTech, and Visa. The collaboration enables real-time payments for everyone via Visa Direct (easily) without sharing data needlessly.
Small business-focused Nav partnered with Gusto, a boutique FinTech, to improve their credit chances. Also, Gusto’s customers can access easier credit-building processes with access to over 100 financing options within the Nav ecosystem.
To improve data for businesses, AI-driven payments FinTech Pagos unveiled two solutions (Flamingo and Puffin). Flamingo improves dataset identification and performance, while Puffin enables integration into workflows via automation.
Centime, a boutique financial-focused FinTech, revealed the integration of Sage’s solutions into its ecosystem. The deployment features Sage Intacct in Centime’s ecosystem.
Finmore, an ESG-focused social FinTech, launched several solutions for financial problems. The Wyoming-based FinTech offers several products, including the AllCards Banking Platform, where members can integrate their cards and earn rewards, and the Finmore Store, which offers everyday products.
Additionally, the Flourish Social Impact Services product has all kinds of training for members, including financial literacy, soft skills, and health and wellness programs.
Banking, Payments, and Infrastructure
Quaint Oak Bank/Finzly
According to a February 27 press release, the 1926-founded Quaint Oak Bank announced a collaboration with Finzly, a boutique FinTech. The cooperation is a part of the bank’s digitization plans and deploys Payments Galaxy, Finzly’s flagship payments product.
Also, Finzly’s solutions enable multicurrency transactions, a boost for Quaint Oak.
Green Dot/Federal Reserve
According to Green Dot’s published 2023 Q4 and full-year financial results, the Fed granted consent per various risk issues, including consumer compliance and AML measures. Additionally, the consent order includes proposed civil penalties for infractions. Discussions are ongoing.
VyStar Credit Union/NCR Atleos
To improve cash availability for its members, the 900,000-plus VyStar Credit Union selected NCR Atleos, the financial services behemoth. Also, the cooperation gives VyStar access to the exclusive partner Allpoint Network.
Ascent Platform Corporation/Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)
To improve business lending for its members, MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) unveiled a partnership with Ascend, a data-focused financial solutions giant. Also, the cooperation will include a pilot test via Ascent’s Loan Origination add-on for unsecured credit.
REtech, InsurtTech and Investing
Akur8/Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company
Akur8, a boutique InsurTech, revealed its partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual, a leading provider of insurance services in the south. The cooperation improves insurance pricing models (for customers) via leveraging Akur8’s technology infrastructure.
Everyone said goodbye to Digisure, the InsurTech upstart best known for its Protection-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution. The closure occurred despite impressive results because of the firm’s inability to raise adequate capital.
Atlantic Global Risk/Novidea
Compliance-focused Atlantic Global Risk teamed up with Novidea, a niche InsurTech. The cooperation integrates Novidea’s insurance management solution, streamlining operations and improving efficiency in the process.
Sapiens International Corporation/DataCrest
Pricing and Casualty (P&C) insurers now have underwriting precision with a partnership between Sapiens International, a global InsurTech leader, and DataCrest, a digital insurance ecosystem.
The collaboration provides win-win scenarios for both parties via integrations.
