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.
-
FCA Cash Rules Anniversary Marked with New Monmouth Hub
The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) access to cash rules celebrated their first anniversary with the opening of a new banking hub in Monmouth, Wales. The FCA introduced these rules, transforming banks and building societies’ operations. They now bear the responsibility to ensure community access to cash services. These guidelines require financial institutions to assess the…
-
FCA Officer Highlights Regulation’s Role in Fintech Growth
At Travers Smith’s Future of Fintech 2025, FCA‘s Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer, Jessica Rusu, highlighted the importance of this summer for regulation. The conference, hosted at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, emphasized the significance of technology and innovation in finance. Rusu stressed that regulations are not just about compliance; they also foster growth. The swift…
-
FCA Ends Probe into Wellesley & Co with No Action
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has concluded its investigation into Wellesley & Co Limited (WCL). Announced in 2022, the probe followed Wellesley Finance Ltd (WFL) entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). Ultimately, the FCA chose not to take any further action. WCL, a regulated firm, was the investigation’s focal point due to its unregulated affiliate,…
-
FCA Proposes New Standards for Cryptocurrency Firms
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently unveiled proposals to encourage ethical practices among cryptocurrency firms. The proposed standards aim to align these fast-evolving firms with traditional financial institutions’ rules. Currently, the FCA is actively soliciting feedback on these proposals. They reflect many existing requirements for traditional finance firms, including operational resilience and crime-fighting systems and…
-
Stablecoins Challenge Banks with Superior Rewards
Stablecoins, a revolutionary form of payment, are gaining recognition. They offer instant transfers, high security, and low costs. Additionally, firms offering stablecoins must hold reserves in safe assets, which generates interest. These digital currencies maintain stability through their reserves, typically held in safe assets like US Treasuries. These reserves not only ensure safety but also…
-
Scott & Mears Credit Services in Administration Shock
On 2 September 2025, the renowned debt collection firm, Scott & Mears Credit Services Limited (SMCS), unexpectedly entered administration. This sudden development has left the financial industry in shock. SMCS, an entity authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has been a key figure in debt collection services. Following this event, Louise Longley…
-
Rise in Risky Investments from Unregulated Firms Alarms FCA
Concerns are escalating about high-risk investments from unregulated firms. Many individuals enter these schemes without fully grasping the potential risks. It’s critical for potential investors to know that many of these firms function outside the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) jurisdiction. Often, these unregulated firms exploit legal exemptions, meaning they don’t need FCA authorisation to offer…
-
FCA Seeks Feedback on Crypto Business Standards Proposal
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is currently seeking feedback on their proposed standards for cryptocurrency businesses. These standards aim to enforce operational resilience, promote good business practices, and establish robust systems to combat financial crime. Interestingly, these proposals reflect the standards already in place for traditional financial firms. By soliciting feedback, the FCA continues its…
-
bunq Neobank Launches Flexible Crypto Staking in EU
bunq, a leading European neobank, is broadening its crypto services. The fintech firm is improving its bunq Crypto service by launching flexible crypto staking across the EU. This initiative makes bunq the first European challenger to provide such a service. It empowers customers to earn rewards on their digital assets freely, without any lock-up periods.…
-
Klarna Card Gains Over a Million US Users in 11 Weeks
Klarna, a global digital bank and payments provider, recently made a major breakthrough in the US market. It announced that over a million Americans signed up for its debit-first Klarna Card in just 11 weeks. This rapid uptake clearly signals a shift in consumer preferences in the financial services sector. Current data suggests that today’s…
-
Binance to Launch Crypto-as-a-Service for Finance Firms
Binance, a leading crypto exchange with a daily trading volume of $20 billion, is venturing into the crypto-as-a-service business. This significant expansion will see the company offer a new white-label solution. According to a recent statement, Binance aims to help traditional finance services firms offer crypto-related services. This innovative approach could reshape how these firms…
-
Robinhood Shares Soar as Crypto and Stock Blend Pays Off
Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD) shares are on the rise. The stock is trading around $132 per share, reflecting an 8% increase today and surpassing its previous 52-week high. This significant growth marks a triumphant moment for the company, which began the year with shares valued near $39. Robinhood, celebrated for democratizing financial markets, has witnessed a…
-
Unregulated Firms Lure Investors into High-Risk Schemes
People are increasingly falling prey to high-risk investment schemes offered by unregulated firms, often without understanding the potential risks. These firms exploit legal exemptions to offer high-risk products, bypassing the need for Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorisation. This trend highlights the importance of thorough due diligence before investing. Such schemes tempt investors with high return…
-
FCA Views Regulation as Growth Catalyst for Fintech
In a recent Travers Smith’s Future of Fintech 2025 speech, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer, Jessica Rusu, stressed the regulatory role in fintech industry growth. She noted this summer as a crucial regulatory moment. Technology and innovation have been at the heart of this discussion. The fintech sector’s fast-paced advancements…
-
FCA Clears Wellesley & Co Limited of Misconduct
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has wrapped up its investigation into Wellesley & Co Limited (WCL). Initiated in 2022, the probe followed Wellesley Finance Ltd (WFL) entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement. However, the FCA found no serious misconduct and decided to take no further action against WCL. This decision ends a period of intense…
-
FCA’s Jessica Rusu Highlights Tech’s Role in Fintech Future
At Travers Smith’s Future of Fintech 2025, Jessica Rusu, Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), underscored the vital role of technology and innovation in finance. Addressing regulatory measures, Rusu noted significant summer developments in this area. Her speech, given at the esteemed Merchant Taylors’ Hall, formed part of an…
-
ValidiFI Study Reveals Flaws in Current Fraud Prevention
ValidiFI’s latest research reveals significant gaps in current fraud prevention strategies. This stresses the financial risks linked with outdated account verification methods, particularly with the rising adoption of real-time payments. As the payment infrastructure evolves, real-time rails like RTP, FedNow, and Zelle push for instant settlement. Simultaneously, faster ACH options are modernising traditional transaction methods.…
-
FCA Chief Economist Calls for Rebalancing Risk in Fintech
Recently, Kate Collyer, the Chief Economist of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), gave a speech at Warwick Business School. She discussed the importance of financial regulation in boosting the UK’s growth. Her focus was on the necessity of risk rebalancing to stimulate innovation and growth in the fintech sector. She noted a significant slowdown in…
-
FCA Clears Wellesley & Co Limited of Misconduct Charges
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has concluded its investigation into Wellesley & Co Limited (WCL). They found no evidence of serious misconduct and will take no further action. The investigation started in 2022, following the unregulated entity Wellesley Finance Ltd (WFL) entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement. This decision marks a significant development in the case.…
-
FCA Proposes New Standards for Crypto Firms
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently put forth proposals to enhance business practices in the crypto industry. These proposals set out the baseline standards that crypto firms should adhere to, reflecting many regulations already in place for traditional financial companies. The proposals mainly focus on operational resilience. They require crypto firms to show their capacity…