News
Stay up to date with the latest news in fintech, crypto, and digital finance. Our News section delivers concise, insightful coverage of market developments, funding rounds, regulatory updates, and innovations shaping the financial technology landscape.
-
Scott & Mears Credit Services Enters Administration
In a pivotal turn of events for the financial industry, Scott & Mears Credit Services Limited (SMCS) has gone into administration. The British debt collection firm took this step on September 2nd, 2025. This move sparks considerable interest among fintech sector stakeholders. SMCS, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), offers debt collection…
-
Lucy Castledine Highlights Regulatory Priorities at PIMFA 2025
In a recent address at the Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) Compliance Conference 2025, Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments, shared the regulatory perspective and priorities for 2025. Her speech offered critical insights into the future financial landscape. Lucy Castledine underscored the importance of regulation in fostering a fair financial marketplace. She…
-
FCA’s Jessica Rusu Highlights Tech’s Role in Fintech Future
In a keynote at Travers Smith’s Future of Fintech 2025, Jessica Rusu, the chief data, information and intelligence officer at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), underscored the pivotal role of technology and innovation in fintech’s future. She concurred with the conference’s sentiment of this summer being significant for regulation. With regulation becoming increasingly vital in…
-
FCA Proposes Minimum Standards for Crypto Firms
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is seeking feedback on proposed minimum standards for cryptocurrency firms. This initiative is part of a wider effort to ensure that crypto firms uphold good business practices, akin to traditional financial entities. The proposed standards closely mirror those already imposed on conventional financial institutions. They encompass robust operational resilience and…
-
SEC Admits to Losing Ex-Chairman Gensler’s Texts
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), has acknowledged that “avoidable errors” led to the loss of former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s text messages. This admission came in a memo issued last month by the OIG, raising questions around transparency and accountability. The SEC Office of Information Technology (OIT) was…
-
Finfluencers Face Court Over Social Media Investment Claims
Recently, three ‘finfluencers’, Charles Hunter, Kayan Kalipha, and Luke Desmaris, faced charges in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court. These charges relate to their social media posts, which allegedly encouraged followers to invest in foreign entities. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) led the investigation that resulted in these charges. The FCA has shown increasing vigilance against illicit…
-
Debt Collection Firm SMCS Enters Administration in 2025
On 2 September 2025, Scott & Mears Credit Services Limited (SMCS), a prominent debt collection firm, unexpectedly entered administration. The firm had received prior authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for its debt collection services, a testament to its industry standing. However, despite this endorsement, the company encountered financial difficulties. Now, Louise Longley and…
-
Lucy Castledine Unveils 2025 Fintech Regulatory Plans
At the Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) Compliance Conference 2025, Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments, shared her views on the regulatory landscape and priorities for the year. The insights gained from the event on 25th September 2025 are crucial for fintech firms in planning their strategic direction. The speech was rich…
-
FCA’s Rusu Highlights Role of Regulation in Fintech Growth
At Travers Smith’s Future of Fintech 2025, FCA‘s chief data, information and intelligence officer, Jessica Rusu, recently emphasized the importance of this summer for regulation. She agreed with the conference invite, confirming it has been a significant period. Moreover, she highlighted the crucial role of technology and innovation in shaping fintech’s future. Regulation has always…
-
FCA Ends Investigation into Wellesley & Co Limited
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has decided to close its probe into Wellesley & Co Limited (WCL). They found no evidence of serious misconduct and will not take further action against the firm. The FCA began investigating WCL in 2022. This followed Wellesley Finance Ltd (WFL), an unregulated entity, entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement. The…
-
Debt Collection Firm Scott & Mears Enters Administration
Scott & Mears Credit Services Limited (SMCS), a leading debt collection company, has recently entered administration. This announcement came to light on the 2nd of September, 2025, marking a significant milestone. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorizes and regulates SMCS. The company’s decision to enter administration is a major development, considering its prominence in the…
-
Lucy Castledine Outlines 2025 Finance Priorities at PIMFA Conference
The Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) Compliance Conference 2025 featured an engaging speech by Lucy Castledine, Director of Consumer Investments. She offered her viewpoints on regulatory matters and outlined the 2025 financial priorities. As a representative of regulatory bodies in consumer investments, Castledine’s speech offered crucial insights into fintech regulation’s future direction.…
-
FCA Officer Highlights Role of Regulation in Fintech Future
The Future of Fintech 2025 event recently held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall showcased an enlightening speech by FCA‘s chief data, information and intelligence officer, Jessica Rusu. She echoed the conference invite’s emphasis on a pivotal summer for regulation. Her speech underscored the importance of technology and innovation in shaping the fintech industry’s future. The FCA,…
-
FCA Ends Probe into Wellesley & Co with No Action Taken
Wellesley & Co Limited (WCL) won’t face any further action from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Following a 2022 investigation into WCL, initiated by Wellesley Finance Ltd (WFL) entering into a Company Voluntary Arrangement, the FCA found no serious misconduct by WCL. Triggered by WFL’s Company Voluntary Arrangement, the FCA launched an investigation into WCL,…
-
tZERO Subsidiary Becomes Special Purpose Broker-Dealer
tZERO Group, Inc. has reached a significant milestone in the blockchain and capital markets sector. Its subsidiary, tZERO Digital Asset Securities, LLC, has evolved into a Special Purpose Broker-Dealer (SPBD) capable of custodising tokenised securities. This development comes a year after tZERO Group’s initial move, renowned for its tokenisation efforts. tZERO Group operates within the…
-
Investors Warned Over High-Risk Unregulated Schemes
When contemplating high-risk investments from unregulated firms, investors need to be cautious. The growing concern is the potential lure of individuals to these schemes, not fully grasping the risks involved. The main worry stems from the fact that many firms offering these opportunities evade Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation by exploiting legal loopholes. High-risk investment…
-
Scott & Mears Credit Services Enters Administration
On 2nd September 2025, British debt collection firm Scott & Mears Credit Services Limited (SMCS) fell into administration. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorised and regulated the company. Joint Administrators, Louise Longley and Julian Pitts from Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP, have taken charge. This event is a significant milestone in the UK’s debt collection industry.…
-
Lucy Castledine Outlines Fintech Regulatory Priorities at PIMFA 2025
At the recent PIMFA Compliance Conference 2025, Lucy Castledine, the director of consumer investments, presented the regulatory outlook for the coming years. This speech, given on September 25, 2025, laid the groundwork for the future of fintech in an ever-changing landscape. She highlighted the vital role of regulatory bodies in balancing the risks and opportunities…
-
FCA Clears Wellesley & Co Limited of Misconduct Charges
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has concluded its investigation into Wellesley & Co Limited (WCL), deciding to take no further action. This decision, following allegations of serious misconduct, was announced in 2022. The FCA found no substantial evidence to back these allegations. The investigation, sparked by a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) entered by Wellesley Finance…
-
FCA Seeks Feedback on Crypto Business Standards Proposal
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) welcomes feedback on its new proposals. These outline the minimum standards for cryptocurrency businesses. The FCA’s initiative aims for these businesses to uphold the same good practices as traditional financial firms. The proposed guidelines stress the need for operational resilience and robust anti-crime systems. The FCA seeks to level the…