Fintech
Innovation in financial technology — digital payments, neobanks, blockchain, and more.
Wise Enters UK Banking with 3.26% Interest Accounts
Wise has launched its UK Current Account offering a 3.26% variable rate on GBP balances, Airport Lounge Pass, and Young Explorer cards, targeting the £250 billion in zero-interest current accounts held by high street banks. This move intensifies fintech competition in everyday banking. (214 chara...
Saudi Arabia Opens Banking to Fintech Innovation With New Licensing Rules
The Saudi Central Bank has formally transitioned open banking from experimental sandbox testing to a supervised licensing regime, positioning the Kingdom as a regional fintech hub aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.
Egyptian Hamilton Labs Gets AXIAN Funding for Africa Stablecoin Push
Egyptian fintech Hamilton Labs has secured undisclosed funding from AXIAN Investment to expand its USDh digital dollar stablecoin across Africa, targeting underbanked markets with yield-bearing savings tools. The deal underscores growing interest in blockchain-based financial infrastructure on th...
Maybank Pioneers On-Chain MYR-SGD Tokenised Deposits Pilot
Malaysia's Maybank has completed its first on-chain transaction converting tokenised ringgit deposits to Singapore dollars for Yinson Holdings, showcasing near real-time cross-border payments via its permissioned blockchain. The pilot under Bank Negara Malaysia's initiative signals a leap in corp...
Egypt's FRA Welcomes Lumin Soft to Fintech Sandbox
Lumin Soft has secured preliminary approval from Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority to join its Fintech Regulatory Sandbox as the third participant. The company will test e-passport-based digital identity verification to open investment services to non-Egyptians.
Brazil's Ume Secures $28.5M FIDC Boost for Retail Lending Push
Brazilian fintech Ume has raised US$28.5 million in FIDC funding to deepen retailer partnerships and decentralize credit issuance. The capital will fuel embedded lending solutions, blending Ume's tech with merchant financing for scalable business growth.
Philippines' UNO Digital Bank Hits Break-Even in Feb 2026
UNO Digital Bank in the Philippines achieved operating break-even before provisions in February 2026, signaling a shift to sustainability after four years. The lender eyes PHP 10 billion loan book growth and new funding by year-end.
Rwanda Bank Governor Outlines Open Banking, Virtual Assets Rules
National Bank of Rwanda Governor Soraya Hakuziarimye detailed plans for open banking regulations and virtual assets legislation to boost financial inclusion and innovation. The framework aims to provide regulatory certainty while mitigating risks in digital finance.(187 characters)
IFC Teams Up With Cashi to Boost Chad Digital Payments
The International Finance Corporation has partnered with Sudan-founded fintech Cashi to expand digital payments in Chad, targeting underserved areas with low-connectivity solutions. The initiative aims to bridge financial inclusion gaps where only 10-15% of Chadians access formal banking.
UAE's Fuze and Miden Partner on Private Blockchain Banking
A strategic collaboration between UAE-regulated fintech Fuze and blockchain company Miden aims to solve institutional adoption barriers by combining privacy-preserving infrastructure with regulatory compliance for digital assets across emerging markets.
Zopa Eyes Northern Europe Bank Buyout for Expansion
SoftBank-backed UK fintech Zopa is scouting acquisitions in Germany or Scandinavia to build a continental foothold. CEO Jaidev Janardana signals bold moves amid competitive pressures in digital banking.
Saudi Arabia's Tabby Enters Early-Stage IPO Discussions for Tadawul Listing as BNPL Volumes Scale
Saudi BNPL platform Tabby has entered early-stage IPO discussions with advisers for a potential listing on the Tadawul as transaction volumes scale across the GCC.