Author: Fintechnews Switzerland

Fundment, a London-based fintech platform designed to serve financial advisors, has raised €53 million in its Series C funding round, which will be used to accelerate product development, scale the team, and support future expansion. The round was led by Highland Europe, with additional participation from ETFS Capital. Ola Abdul, founder and CEO of Fundment, stated: “Financial advice is a heavily regulated space, and it’s difficult for fintech platforms to break through unless they truly understand how to manage and enable operations for their customers. For the past six years, we’ve built Fundment as the all-in-one tech platform to support…

The tenth edition of the CV VC Top 50 Report, released at the Web3 Hub Davos during the World Economic Forum, ranks the top 50 blockchain entities by token market capitalisation and private company valuations. The report provides insights into Crypto Valley’s 2024 venture funding landscape and highlights the ongoing developments in the blockchain sector. Top 50 Valuation Milestones for 2024: The total valuation of the Top 50 entities has increased by 55%, now standing at $593 billion. 25 blockchain platforms are valued at $584.33 billion, with 16 based in Zug, contributing 97% of the total platform valuation. Blockchain companies’…

SWISS, Switzerland’s national airline, has partnered with TWINT, the country’s payment app, to simplify flight bookings for travelers in Switzerland. Customers can now pay for flights on swiss.com and the SWISS app using TWINT. “We are thrilled to partner with SWISS to enhance the booking experience for our users, making travel more accessible and stress-free,” said Adrian Plattner, Chief Sales Officer of TWINT. SWISS Chief Commercial Officer, Heike Birlenbach echoed this sentiment, saying, “The integration of TWINT is part of our ongoing effort to offer passengers more flexibility and choice. As a company rooted in Swiss values, we are proud…

Wealth management is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by emerging trends that are redefining the sector’s future. Capgemini’s new trends book highlights three core trends set to influence wealth management in 2025. This year, wealth management firms will focus on enhancing customer experiences through evolved omnichannel interactions and improved value of products and services. They will also transform processes, teams, solutions, and operations to bring greater agility and operational efficiency. Finally, organizations will explore how new technologies and modern, end-to-end digital solutions will enable the development of intelligent products and services, transforming the entire value chain. A customer-first approach In…

PostFinance has partnered with Sygnum, a FINMA-regulated digital asset bank, to offer cryptocurrency trading and custody services. The new offering includes a “staking” feature, initially available for Ethereum through the PostFinance App and e-finance. Other cryptocurrencies will be added in the future. “Staking” involves locking up cryptocurrencies to support blockchain security and operations, earning “staking rewards” as passive income. Dr. Alexander Thoma, Head of Digital Assets at PostFinance, stated, “The staking service is based on ‘native staking,’ which takes place directly on the Ethereum blockchain and thus offers maximum transparency and security.” Customers can start staking with as little as…

Crypto.com has received preliminary approval for a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licence from European Union regulators. This makes it one of the first major cryptocurrency platforms to achieve this milestone. The full regulatory approval for the MiCA licence will allow Crypto.com to offer its services across the EU under a new, unified regulatory framework. The MiCA regulations was designed to increase transparency and consumer protection in the cryptocurrency market. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, said, “We have always been fully supportive of MiCA and strongly believe it will bring clarity, transparency, and establish a more streamlined sentiment…

ClearBank has partnered with Airwallex, a payments and financial platform, to enhance Airwallex’s UK services. The collaboration enables Airwallex to offer virtual business accounts, GBP collections, and Confirmation of Payee (CoP) functionality through ClearBank’s agency banking solution. This partnership also grants Airwallex access to UK payment schemes, including Faster Payments, BACS (Bankers Automated Clearing System), and CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System), allowing the fintech to provide faster and more secure financial services. By issuing virtual accounts and IBANs under its own brand identity, Airwallex can streamline global payments and financial operations for businesses. Vivien Cheung, Head of Financial Partnerships,…

Compass, headquartered in Italy, has strengthened its Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) operations by acquiring a majority stake in HeidiPay AG, a company specialising in digital platforms for BNPL. Compass had previously acquired a 19.5% stake in HeidiPay in 2022 and its Swiss subsidiary, HeidiPay Switzerland AG, in October 2023. This acquisition aligns with the development of Compass’s international BNPL platform, HeyLight, which combines payment and consumer credit solutions. The deal supports Compass’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, focusing on direct and digital channels and integrating advanced risk assessment capabilities. Francesco Caso, General Manager of Compass, said, “The majority share we have…

Sygnum, a global digital asset banking group, has secured US$ 58 million in an oversubscribed funding round, earning it unicorn status with a valuation to over US$ 1 billion. The round bolstered Sygnum’s balance sheet and CET1 capital, supporting plans for future growth. Led by Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm Fulgur Ventures, the round saw participation from new and existing investors, along with Sygnum’s co-founders, board, and team members, who continue to hold a majority ownership in the company. The funds will be used to expand Sygnum’s market presence in the EU/EEA and Hong Kong, enhance institutional infrastructure, and develop Bitcoin-focused…

nsave, a provider of compliant accounts for people in high inflation countries, has launched an investment product to help customers protect and grow their wealth. The company also raised $18 million in Series A funding, led by TQ Ventures with participation from Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, ACE Ventures, and Proton Foundation. Based in London and Geneva, nsave was founded by Amer Baroudi and Abdallah AbuHashem to democratise access to secure financial services. Through partnerships with regulated institutions in the UK and Switzerland, nsave offers offshore accounts with access to US equities, ETFs, and soon, funds from major asset managers. CEO…

Inrate, a Switzerland-based sustainability data and impact ratings firm, has successfully raised CHF 5 million in its latest funding round. The investment, supported by institutional and individual investors with expertise in ESG, will drive product development, AI adoption, market expansion, talent acquisition, and operational improvements. “This funding not only validates our vision and strategy but also underscores the confidence in Inrate’s impact methodology, reinforcing our commitment to delivering unparalleled value to our customers and stakeholders,” said Ahmed Hakki, board member of Inrate. The firm continues to enhance sustainable finance through innovative solutions and actionable insights for investors. …

The Swiss Fintech Awards 2025 are now open for applications from fintech, insurtech, and blockchain startups with a Swiss background. Interested startups can apply online at www.swissfintechawards.ch until March 2, 2025. The Swiss FinTech Awards aim to recognise and promote innovation within the Swiss fintech ecosystem by celebrating exceptional finTech, insurtech, and blockchain startups, as well as key influencers in the sector. The awards spotlight promising start-ups across three categories: Early Stage Startup of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year, and Fintech Influencer of the Year. Winners are selected by a panel of over 20 fintech experts and…

Unit4, a cloud software company headquartered in Netherlands, has announced Simon Paris as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 1, 2025. Simon will succeed Mike Ettling, who has led the company for nearly six years, driving significant growth and its transformation into a cloud-first, recurring-revenue business. Simon Paris brings over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, including leadership roles at Infor, SAP, and most recently as CEO of Finastra, where he transformed the company into a global fintech organization. Under Mike Ettling’s tenure, Unit4 achieved major milestones, including transitioning to a cloud-first strategy, with 80% of…

Banking Circle, a Luxembourg-licensed bank specialising in next-generation banking services, is set to acquire Australian Settlements Limited (ASL), an authorised deposit-taking institution. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, marking a key step in Banking Circle’s growth in the Australian market. ASL, a provider of settlement and processing services for banks and payment companies in Australia, will complement Banking Circle’s existing operations in the region. Banking Circle already operates in Australia through its regulated subsidiary, BC Payments Australia, which holds an Australian Financial Services Licence and collaborates with ASL to deliver local payment services. The transaction…

Public permissionless blockchains offer groundbreaking advantages like transparency, composability, and decentralization, making them strong candidates for becoming the foundation of future financial infrastructure. While these networks have the potential to transform finance by fostering open and inclusive platforms, they also face significant technical, operational, and governance challenges that must be addressed before they can fully serve as financial infrastructure, according to a new report by the European Commission (EC). The paper, released in November 2024, examines the potential of public permissionless blockchains to enhance traditional financial services, highlighting key advantages of utilizing an open, decentralized base layer. Main properties and…

Over the past few years, payment trends have transformed entirely. Tap-to-pay has become even more prevalent, traditional financial institutions are exploring blockchain, and generative AI is emerging as critical to boosting fraud protection rates by as much as 300%. Borders are no longer barriers to global trade, instant access to earnings is the expectation, not a perk, and paper checks and physical wallets are fast becoming museum pieces — at least among the youngest of us. Continued advances in tech are ushering more people and businesses into the digital economy every day, and it’s driving demand for trusted interactions and…

FiveT Fintech, a venture capital firm based in Zurich, has appointed Alexandre Moreillon as Investment Director. This announcement comes as the firm launches its second fund and third investment vehicle. Alexandre brings extensive venture capital and fintech experience, having previously served as Principal at CommerzVentures, where he deployed capital across European fintech companies at Series A and B. “Alexandre’s expertise in fintech innovation, combined with his experience in enterprise AI and data analytics from Palantir Technologies, makes him an invaluable asset to our team. His knowledge of both technology and venture investing will help us continue supporting entrepreneurs driving change…

STICPAY, a London-based global e-wallet and payment gateway, has announced a significant expansion of its cross-border payment services, now supporting transfers in over 150 currencies across more than 160 countries. The enhanced service offers faster and more transparent money transfers with trackable payments, clear fee structures, and estimated delivery times. Users can send and receive funds via bank accounts, digital wallets, mobile wallets, and cash, catering to both individual and corporate clients. The expansion comes amid growing demand for cross-border transactions, with the consumer-to-consumer market expected to grow from $1.8 trillion in 2023 to $3.3 trillion by 2030, according to…

2024 was an eventful year for the Swiss fintech industry, which witnessed high-profile developments and promising growth in niche areas, but also significant challenges. Corporate bankruptcies soared to record levels, impacting the fintech sector. Meanwhile, funding for fintech startups continued its downward trajectory as investors increasingly prioritized biotech, as well as energy and cleantech. Despite these setbacks, Switzerland’s fintech sector showed resilience and innovation. Key milestones included notable acquisitions, progressive regulatory measures covering artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets, as well as government-backed initiatives including the rollout of instant payments and the inaugural SwissHacks event. Corporate bankruptcies reach new record…

HashKey Group has announced that its subsidiary, HashKey Europe Limited, has received Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration from the Central Bank of Ireland. This marks the group’s first VASP license in full compliance with the EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5). HashKey Europe can now offer a range of regulated services, including exchanging virtual assets for fiat currencies or other virtual assets, facilitating virtual asset transfers, and providing secure custodian wallet services. This approval is part of HashKey’s broader global expansion strategy, adding Ireland to its list of regulated markets, which already includes Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Bermuda.…