Please find another week of fintech exits and deep reads below. (👍👎 Have feedback for us? Let us know!)

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📖 Read of the Week

Signals: What you need to know about Know Your Customer

Keeping criminals out may seem simple, but building KYC processes that separate the good cardholders from the bad ones is a huge challenge.

This Week in FintechMatthew Goldman

White House aiming to scrub medical debt from people’s credit scores, which could up ratings for millions

Vice President Kamala Harris says the Biden administration is beginning the process to remove medical bills from people’s credit scores.

AP NewsJOSH BOAK

☯️ Exits

🤝 M&A - Fintech

• Crypto protocol provider Ripple reportedly backed out of its acquisition of crypto custody provider Fortress Trust with no explanation.
• Actionstep, a provider of cloud practice management for midsize law firms, acquired Soluno, a Toronto, Canada-based legal accounting software.
• Crypto custodial tech provider Fireblocks acquired Blockfold, an Australian firm that enables banks to build blockchain services.
• Bankrupt currency exchange Travelex is up for sale.

🏦 M&A - Bank and FinServ

• Publicly-owned Dutch bank ABN Amro moved closer to being a privately-held bank with a sale that cuts the government’s stake to below 50%.
• ETF provider Betashares will acquire Bendigo Bank’s superannuation arm as part of its bid to take on the $3.5 trillion super sector and establish itself as a broader financial services outfit.
• Citigroup is in talks to sell off its $4 billion Chinese retail wealth unit to HSBC.
• Hayfin Capital Management, the private credit specialist that manages €30 billion, is exploring a sale.

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🌎 Fintech Around the World

Singapore named Asia’s top fintech hub, fourth globally

Mastercard presents study on Malta’s fintech sector at FinanceMalta conference

Ripple Co-Founder Hails UK as FinTech Hub

Swedish gang members reportedly using Spotify to launder money

African Consumers Need Faster and Secure Payments to Thrive in the Digital Economy

📚 Deeper Reads & Features

Climatetech & Fintech: Converging into the 2020s

Bank chiefs relish prospect of AI boost to productivity

Are “everything apps” the future of fintech?

My Last Day as CEO of PayPal

Building A $3 Billion Company And Now Raising Millions To Turn Payments Into Your Growth Engine

FinTech Firms Issue Statement In Support Of Regulatory Stability At The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

How Fintechs Can Survive (and Thrive) In Disrupted Times

As Robinhood eyes global expansion, CEO says: ‘We’ve made a lot of progress’

Plaid’s Zach Perret on Visa, valuations and privacy

International money transfer companies: a factory tour

Software Transcends Borders—Why Not Money?

After cutting ties with Binance, Checkout.com says crypto companies are about 4% of its total processing volume

Big changes for credit reporting

The Race to Rewire Cross-Border Payments

Emerging Trends to Incorporate Into Your Fintech Blueprint

Solana offers solutions to banking’s ‘bizarre inefficiencies’

‘Squirrels Have Gone Wild’ Celebrating An Acorn Surplus

Have a news item for us? Reach out to news@thisweekinfintech.com