Issue #402 - Do We Need To Prepare For The Worst?2023-02-09Even the CEO of the second bank of the United States affirms that we should prepare for the default on the US debt. This is maybe the worst possible scenario, and we need to keep our nerve if the economic downturn will be tougher than expected. Nevertheless, we still have many positive things to focus and work on: a more inclusive economy, also thanks to new payment methods and more user-friendly lending services, AI, which can help the economy to advance. But we also need to deal with increased layoffs and stricter regulations. This and much more on FinTech Weekly, the free newsletter to stay on top of fintech news and events. |
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 | 30-40% of our merchants monthly active out of around 10M, says BharatPe’s Dhruv Dhanraj BahlBharatPe, the Indian fintech that facilitates payments and money lending for merchants, has already received $650 million in funding rounds. Dhanraj Bahl, who manages the lending vertical of the fintech company, specified that BharatPe has about 10 million clients and around 40% of them are active on a monthly basis. This fintech is an example of how financial technology can leverage data to help business owners – and that fintech is a thriving sector in India. |
Crypto
 | Demystifying the Banking Regulators’ Recent Crypto Actions: Key Takeaways for Fintech CompaniesThe collapse of FTX stopped the process that was bringing closer banks and cryptocurrencies. Regulators became more severe, but some clarifications are needed – especially for fintech firms and partners that want to leverage the innovative financial system brought by blockchain technology: banks can still provide safekeeping services for cryptocurrencies; cryptos can’t still hold cryptocurrencies as the largest part of their capitals; banks can benefit from blockchain technology and there is a path to produce tokens. So, banks are limited when it comes to cryptocurrencies, since they can partner with crypto-focused businesses that are in line with security measures and guidelines provided by regulators. |
 | Buzz Around Trump’s NFT Collection: En-route to Oval Office ?NFTs, after the downturn that followed the initial hype, are recovering the major role they play for developers, creators and blockchain enthusiasts. But they’re also showing that their success can be used – as it happens with different forms of art – for political purposes. The NFT collection of Donald Trump is an example of this. |
Banking
 | BaaS Explained: For BanksIn this article by Surbhi Arora, published by FinTech Weekly, the focus is BaaS – Banking as a Service. To understand BaaS, there are some key aspects to evaluate: APIs, open banking, an improved user experience when BaaS is leveraged. Read to discover also how BaaS can benefit stakeholders. |
Innovation
 | Mondu announces the launch of MonduSellThe German fintech Mondu announces MonduSell. This fintech firm, focused on B2B payments, will now focus also on B2C payments. Some of the strengths of this fintech are the intuitiveness – there is no need for technical integration, the lack of setup costs for customers, and the fact that it supports many payment methods. |
 | Fintech Platform Stackwell Redefines the Meaning of Black WealthThe digital investment platform Stackwell is focused on eliminating the racial wealth gap. The company announced its Redefining Black Wealth, aimed at showing the meaning of wealth considered through the spirit of the Black community. |
Fintech
 | Even well-funded fintech companies are laying off workersEven the most successful fintech companies are going ahead with layoffs – and it’s really likely that we will witness new layoffs in the near future. PayPal, SoFi Technologies, the insurtech Decent are only some examples of big fintech companies that reduced – or are about to reduce – their headcount. The main reason behind this might be over hiring when the global economy wasn’t facing a downturn. |
 | Exclusive: Bill Gates On Advising OpenAI, Microsoft And Why AI Is ‘The Hottest Topic Of 2023’During an exclusive interview with Alex Konrad, the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, talks about his interest in AI (artificial intelligence), the reasons why it’s one of the main topics of 2023, and the multibillion partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, the AI unicorn that developed ChatGPT. |
 | Trust Me If You Can: Why Reputation Capital Is A Must For Fintech Startups In This Economic DownturnValentina Drofa, founder of the fintech PR consultancy Drofa Comms, reflects on the current state of fintech: fintech startups, in Q3 2022, raised 40% less than Q2 2022. But fintech companies and startups can still focus on their strengths – and reputation capital can be a weapon. |