The Week in Digital Wealth (1/28/25)

Innovation continued to rule the sector, with light touch regulation resuming pace as integrations and deployments dictated the pace of events.

Headlines to take note of:

• • • CUSIP and FactSet launched a new standard for the private credit markets;
      
    • Goldman Sachs now has an AI agent with banking experience;
    • Circle introduced stablecoin gas fee payments;
    • Flying JetBlue soon? You can now pay for bookings via Venmo!;
    • Plus, Self Financial launched a flexible credit card (read on to find out);
    • And much more!

Of course, it’s your week in digital wealth!

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Wealthtech, Regtech, Regulatory, and Treasury

CUSIP Global Services (CUSIP)/FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FactSet)

The private credit markets now have enhanced standards thanks to a partnership between CUSIP and FactSet. Integrations include direct and syndicated loans alongside collateralized loan obligations (CLOs).

Additionally, the offering is available via the CUSIP CGS database and as a standalone solution.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

On the AI end, investment behemoth Goldman Sachs revealed plans to (fully) integrate an AI assistant into its operations. In a January 21 CNBC interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti indicated that ‘GS AI assistant’ is available to 10,000 employees.

Furthermore, the AI assistant has the capability of a veteran banker.

TMX Group Limited

Canadian-based markets solutions firm TMX continued its American foray with ‘AlphaX US,’ an alternative trading system (ATS) platform for U.S. equities. The AlphaX US ATS will trade National Market System-listed securities.

Moreover, only FINRA-registered broker/dealers are eligible to participate.

The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE)

Leading industry organization WFE revealed its 2025 agenda, with several key issues taking center stage. In a January 23 announcement on its website, the global forum revealed several focus areas.

They include improved market infrastructure regulation, further ESG compliance, improved management of tech innovations, an increased focus on private markets, enhanced education, and others.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc./Snowflake

Derivatives-focused Cboe collaborated with data storage specialist Snowflake to introduce the Cboe Global Indices Feed on the Snowflake Marketplace. Customers of both entities can access summarized end-of-day and tick data.

Furthermore, the feature is available via the Cboe DataShop.

Crypto, Blockchain, and Digital Assets

Circle Internet Financial Limited

Stablecoin issuer Circle continued to make waves by introducing gas fee payments via the USDC token. In a January 23 announcement, Circle launched ‘Paymaster,’ an offering that enables USDC gas stablecoin payments for native tokens.

Consequently, the offering is (initially) available on the Arbitrum and Base networks. Future deployments are coming soon.

Uniswap Labs

Premier decentralized exchange Uniswap unveiled Uniswap V4, the latest iteration of its trading ecosystem. In a January 21 Twitter/X post, Unsiwap revealed that it will initiate the rollout of the latest deployments.

Additionally, the platform enables developers to execute custom code before and after token swaps, improving flexibility.

BlackRock/Nasdaq

Investment behemoth BlackRock expanded the flexibility of its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF. Securities trading venue Nasdaq filed for in-kind redemptions rather than the current cash model.

Moreover, should regulators approve the proposal, qualified participants can exchange their IBIT shares for Bitcoins.

Fintech, Personal Finance, and Apps

JetBlue Airways Corporation/PayPal, Inc. (Venmo)

Budget travel specialist JetBlue revealed the integration of Venmo as a payment option. According to a January 21 press release, the feature is (currently) available on the airline’s website.

The App integration will be available in a few months.

Springbrook Software

Government-focused Fintech Springbrook revealed a new tool for seamless invoicing and enhancements for AI-powered document scanning in a January 21 announcement.

Additionally, the feature integrates with its cloud-based Cirrus ecosystem.

Ramp Business Corporation

Financial operations-focused Ramp unveiled ‘Ramp Treasury,’ an offering that enhances business cash operations. Within a unified platform, businesses can store cash with a 2.5% annual yield and pay bills.

Moreover, businesses have access to three times their working capital (on average). The investment offering isn’t FDIC-insured.

Synchrony/Sam’s Club

All-American brand financing partner Synchrony continued its partnership with the members-only Sam’s Club to include a few additional perks for shoppers. Synchrony will remain Sam’s Club’s credit card issuer.

In addition, the collaboration will focus on several experiences and products, including access to Synchrony’s (patent pending) ‘SyPI,’ improved integrations with Sam’s Club Scan & Go™ tech, and access to rewards via the Sam’s Cash™ credit card.

Banking, Payments, and Infrastructure

Alkami Technology, Inc./Emerald Research Group/Jim Marous

Plano, Texas-based Alkami unveiled a Business Banking Digital Maturity Assessment product. The solution provides a framework for FIs to improve their digital banking capabilities.

A study published with influencer Jim Marous and the Emrelald Research Group enabled the innovation.

Q2 Holdings/Alloy

Premier banking solutions provider Q2 collaborated with identity-focused Alloy to deploy a fraud monitoring offering for banks and credit unions. The product helps solve several ongoing fraud problems, including peer-to-peer (P2P) payment fraud and account takeovers.

Moreover, the solution works off Alloy’s identity platform for fraud identification, detection, and prevention.

Self Financial/Visa

Credit building-focused Self Financial launched the ‘Self Visa® Credit Card,’ an affordable card with a $100 minimum deposit. The card has several innovative features, including flexible funding options, zero qualification criteria, reporting access to the major credit bureaus, and more.

Additionally, the offering has a $25 annual maintenance fee, and customers can use the Self Financial credit builder solution to pay the deposit fee.

Entrust

Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) platform Entrust took the identity game further by launching an AI-powered, biometric facial biometric authentication solution for FIs. The password-free offering is available alongside digital boarding experiences.

Furthermore, the feature is phishing resistant, has enhanced privacy, minimizes the use of third-party hardware, and improves fraud prevention.

REtech, Insurtech and Investing