Oxford University is getting into fintech
Oxford University, the centuries-old British education institution, is branching out into fintech. The university’s Saïd Business School announced on Wednesday that it will launch an online short course in fintech — financial technology for the uninitiated — that is designed to help prepare business executives for a future where more and more financial services functions are based around tech. “Oxford Saïd has a commitment to preparing global executives for the challenges of both today and tomorrow,” Peter Tufano, the Peter Moores Dean and Professor of Finance at the school, told Business Insider over email. “Our faculty have been active in fintech research and teaching, up to and including starting fintech […]
FINTQ expands digital partnerships to become biggest fintech firm in Philippines
FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations, on Thursday announced a string of new digital partnerships with banks and non-banking institutions for a variety of financial technology products and services, making it the biggest fintech firm operating in the Philippines today. Among its newly signed partners for Lendr, its pioneering and award-winning digital lending platform, include the Development Bank of the Philippines, EastWest Bank, the Philippine Bank of Communications, Philippine Veterans Bank, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Insular Bank, Philippine Business Bank, Card Bank Inc., Card SME Bank Inc., Rizal Bank Inc., Radiowealth Finance Company, Asialink Finance Corporation, Filidian Rural Bank, JK Capital, Esquire Financing, Algo Leasing, FINEX, […]
UK dominates FinTech50 list of innovative financial technology firms
British FinTech firms have dominated this year’s FinTech50, a list of Europe’s most innovative financial technology companies. Some 33 of this year’s top 50 firms are based in London, cementing the UK’s position as the leader in European FinTech. The list is compiled by a panel of “industry experts” – including venture capital investors, startup founders, and European politicians – and aims to recognise firms that are “transforming financial services” at all stages of growth. 11 UK tech entrepreneurs make it on to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 listBritish firms included on the list include challenger banks Atom Bank and Monzo, InsurTech app Cuvva, and investment app LendInvest. This year’s list […]
Malaysia Fintech firm Soft Space raises US $5 Million from Japan’s Transcosmos
Malaysia Fintech firm Soft Space, which offers mobile payment solutions, announced it has secured US $5 million in funding from Japanese e-commerce company Transcosmos Inc. Mobile POS and E-Commerce Soft Space offers mobile point-of-sale services for small and large merchants in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Businesses can plug a small device into a smartphone or tablet that allows them to swipe customer credit cards for payment. The company takes a small transaction fee every time a card is swiped. Soft Space also offers an online management console where businesses can track and manage customer data, sales history, and even fraud management. Transcosmos, which is based in Japan, […]
Aviva embracing artificial intelligence in quest to become fintech firm
Aviva is eyeing acquisitions in artificial intelligence and big data as it looks to overhaul the insurance industry and transform itself into a fintech firm. Chief executive Mark Wilson said the 321-year-old insurance giant had built a good balance sheet and was primed to use it to ensure the business remains a step ahead of its rivals. Speaking at Aviva’s “digital garage” in Hoxton, East London, Mr Wilson said the insurer’s innovation projects had attracted calls from “big names in Silicon Valley” and helped seal a lucrative deal with Tencent, a 300 billion US dollar Chinese technology firm. He said: “I don’t mean billions, but we will do acquisitions if […]
Bitcoin prices surge, here’s why cryptocurrency is skyrocketing
Bitcoin prices are skyrocketing. Business Insider reported Thursday bitcoin hit a record high, exceeding $2,700 per coin, up from $1,400 on May 1. The world’s second most influential cryptocurrency, Ethereum’s ether tokens, also broke its record this week. Ether is now evaluated at more than $200 per token, CoinMarketCap reported. For comparison, ether was selling for just $60 on April 27. There are a variety of factors driving up the market value of cryptocurrencies. The past few weeks have seen increased corporate investment in Ethereum, alongside a global “blockchain boom,” where companies like Ripple and IBM announce partnerships with leading financial institutions around the world. Japan has even kickstarted the […]
Sun Hung Kai invests US$2b in technology as fintech fiestas spread across Asia
HONG KONG finance company Sun Hung Kai & Co. has made US$2 billion available over two years for investments in financial technology, medical and consumer-facing companies, as noted by the firm’s chief investment officer, Sebastiaan Van Den Berg. The CIO added that the target size of the fund should grow over the next 24 months from its current HK$11 billion (US$1.4 billion) size, and the company hopes to be able to reap 15-20 percent in profit, whether it be debt or equity. The company is considering listing its subsidiary United Asia Finance Ltd. (UA) in order to fundraise an estimated US$500 million, according to a Bloomberg source. This entity currently […]
Humaniq to use blockchain for social good
A London/Luxembourg start-up is planning to use the blockchain to create a new kind of bank that will help tackle global poverty. It will enable people to use its cryptocurrency to donate or lend money, and bring banking services and income generation opportunities to “the last billion”. Humaniq has been developed by a group of people, many with experience in cryptocurrencies, who have seen the potential of biometrics, blockchain and mobile to help solve a number of social and economic problems. The challenge they aim to tackle is considerable. “Over 2 billion people in the world don’t have bank accounts. About 1.5 billion people don’t have any identification documents. They […]
