The Front Page of Fintech

The largest fintech community in the world. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest in news opinions, and all things financial technology.

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The Front Page of Fintech

The the largest fintech community in the world. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest in news opinions, and all things financial technology.

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The stablecoin race is on (TWIF 8/18)

The stablecoin race is on (TWIF 8/18)
Carl Cox behind the booth in the 90s

Hello Fintech Friends,

Signals: can public fintechs outperform the market?
Hello, Fintech Friends! “That escalated quickly” is probably the best summary of what happened in the stock market in July. On July 11, the U.S. Labor Department reported a month-over-month decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), resulting in an annual inflation rate of 3%. The inflation results have
This Month in Fintech - China (July 24’)
Hello fintech friends, How have your summers been so far? 🔥 🔥 🔥 I hope you’re enjoying the season! Before you dive into the July newsletter, I have an exciting announcement: This Month in Fintech - China will shift to a weekly format starting in August. With this change, we hope to provide

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


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📖 Reads of the Week
The Race to Dominate Stablecoins
Stablecoins — cryptocurrencies pegged to an external currency — have the potential to rewire the global financial system, and expose banking and finance to new digital competition. Now, there is intensifying competition among stablecoin issuers, prominent digital wallet providers, and traditional banks, each racing to establish their platform as the dominant one. The outcome will be consequential not only for financial institutions but for any company and digital platform that relies on money movement at scale. The stablecoin wars, like the battle for home video, will not be decided by better tech or incumbency, but by the applications. While regulators can make it significantly harder for innovators to compete, they will not be able to stop them forever. In the end, the most likely outcome is one with many stablecoins that fade into the background and deliver lower-cost, faster payments to the world.
Risk-based Capital for Stable Value Tokens
This paper introduces Token Capital Adequacy Framework (TCAF), a risk-based capital framework designed for stable value tokens, including stablecoins, deposit t
What is going on at Square?
Square is lagging badly behind the competition in growth. Jack Dorsey’s return to the company might have something to do with it.

☯️ Exits
💻 IPOs & SPACs
  • Klarna is reportedly close to picking Goldman Sachs as the lead banking in an IPO that would value the consumer fintech startup at around $20 billion.

🤝 M&A - Fintech
  • TipRanks, an Israeli AI-based stock tip evaluator – created after its founder got burned by bad advice – was acquired for $200 million by Prytek, a tech infrastructure-as-a-service group.
  • Global credit bureau and fraud signal provider Experian acquired NeuroID, which uses machine learning to provide anti-fraud behavioral analytics.
  • Janus Henderson, a credit fund with $36 billion in assets under mangement, acquired Victory Park, a $6 billion credit fund and frequent lender to fintechs.
  • Jai Kisan, which provides instant credit options for rural India, secured a non-banking financial company (NBFC) license through its acquisition of Kushal Finnovation Capital.
  • Jack Dorsey's Block announced its acquisition of Sliderule, a no-code rules engine for risk and fraud teams.
  • British private equity firm Bridgepoint is considering a bid to acquire French order-to-cash software Esker.
  • Private equity giant Blackstone acquired a majority stake in hotel tax and accounting platform M3.



🏦 M&A - Bank and FinServ
  • Canada's Bank of Nova Scotia is investing the US by taking a $2.8 billion 15% minority stake in regional lender KeyCorp.
  • A group of private equity purchasers have agreed to acquire UK investment bank Hargreaves Lansdown at a £5.4 billion valuation.
  • European private equity firm CVC won the mandate to acquire a 26% stake in Indian housing finance corporation Aavas Financiers for ₹130 billion (about $1.5 billion).
  • Investment manager Houlihan Lokey will acquire Waller Helms, an investment bank that specializes in the insurance and asset-management industries.

🌎 Fintech Around the World

Why Every Indian Fintech Now Wants To Be An NBFC

Argentina’s economic shock therapy and fintech boom are wiping out peso notes

Is Canadian fintech making a comeback?

Is Turkish fintech about to have a breakout moment?

Business Extra: How FinTech is evolving in the Middle East

The State Of Tanzania's Fintech Startups

📚 Deeper Reads & Features

The Rise, Stumble, and Forward Go of Fintech

SEC investigating Wall Street banks over ‘billions’ in lost interest payments

The Insurance Industry Is Winning a Fight to Kill New Protections for Retirement Savers

How the world’s oldest bank brought a city to its knees

How to fix Federal Home Loan Banks

Why Falling Mortgage Rates Aren’t a Quick Fix for Frustrated Homebuyers

Why Credit Unions Are Buying Community Banks Faster Than Ever

Revolut is Europe’s most valuable fintech, and which startups became unicorns this year

Gamblers Are Dumping Stocks to Bet on Sports, New Study Says

Welcome to Y’all Street, Texas’ Burgeoning Financial Hub

Family Camping Wake Up To Find Two Extra Dogs, Decide To Take Them Home


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