Markets

Mastercard has introduced a new generation of payment cards featuring biometric authentication across several European markets. The cards use fingerprint recognition to verify transactions, aiming to enhance security, reduce fraud, and improve convenience for consumers who prefer contactless payments. Biometric...

A blockchain-focused startup has launched a platform that enables retail investors to participate in real estate investments through tokenized assets. The platform aims to make property ownership more accessible, liquid, and efficient, leveraging blockchain technology to allow fractional ownership and...

South Korea’s neobanks have reported record user growth, fueled in part by government incentives and increasing consumer demand for mobile-first financial services. The surge highlights the country’s thriving digital banking sector and reflects broader trends toward convenient, accessible financial solutions....

Chinese regulators have announced new measures to tighten oversight of digital lending platforms, aiming to curb excessive risk-taking and improve transparency in the fast-growing online credit sector. The move comes amid concerns about rising debt levels, consumer protection, and the...

Stripe has unveiled a new AI-powered fraud detection tool aimed at protecting small businesses from online payment fraud. The platform is designed to automatically identify and prevent suspicious transactions, giving merchants a powerful solution to safeguard revenue while reducing manual...

The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced plans to pilot a retail version of the digital euro, moving closer to creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for everyday transactions. The initiative is designed to test the technical, operational, and...

Visa has announced a partnership with a leading Latin American fintech to streamline cross-border payments for both consumers and businesses. The collaboration aims to reduce transaction times, lower fees, and expand access to digital payment services across the region, addressing...

Latin America’s largest digital bank has announced that it has reached profitability earlier than expected, marking a major milestone for the region’s fintech sector. The achievement highlights the rapid adoption of digital banking services across emerging markets and demonstrates the...

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has launched a blockchain-based marketplace for carbon credits, aiming to increase transparency, liquidity, and efficiency in the trading of environmental assets. The platform allows corporations, investors, and sustainability-focused institutions to buy, sell, and track carbon credits...

The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a warning about potential systemic risks emerging from the rapid growth of private credit markets. Officials noted that while private lending has provided businesses with alternative funding sources, its largely unregulated nature could pose...

A major merger in the Southeast Asian fintech market has been announced, as a SoftBank-backed buy now, pay later (BNPL) company plans to combine operations with a leading regional e-wallet provider. The move is aimed at creating a super app...

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has begun a new pilot program to test the digital rupee with everyday consumers in three major cities, marking a significant step toward wider adoption of the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). The...

Mastercard has announced plans to acquire a leading European open banking firm for approximately $4 billion, signaling a major move to expand its role in data-driven payments and account-to-account financial services. The acquisition, expected to close in late 2025 after...

Japan’s largest banks are joining forces to back a blockchain-based trade finance network aimed at modernizing how international transactions are conducted. The initiative seeks to reduce the complexity, cost, and delays associated with cross-border trade while boosting transparency for all...

The European Union has approved a new framework for crypto tax reporting that will require detailed transaction disclosures from both individuals and businesses. The rules are designed to close loopholes in existing tax systems, improve transparency, and ensure that governments...