Author: Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz)

Ant International, Standard Chartered, and Swift Build Bank-to-Wallet Payment Solution

Ant International, Standard Chartered, and Swift Build Bank-to-Wallet Payment Solution
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Alumni News, Daily news, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Ant International, Standard Chartered, and Swift have launched a new bank-to-wallet solution linking Swift’s 11,500-institution network with Alipay+’s 1.7 billion digital wallet accounts across 36 providers.
  • The service offers faster, regulated alternatives to stablecoins, with ISO 20022 backing to ensure interoperability, compliance, and scalability for cross-border payments.
  • Beyond speed, the initiative aims to boost financial inclusion, giving underbanked consumers access to funds through wallets they already use while allowing banks to stay relevant in wallet-first markets.

Global payments and fintech provider Ant International, international banking group Standard Chartered, and provider of secure financial messaging services Swift are banding together this week to launch a bank-to-wallet payment solution.

The three are leveraging Swift’s network of over 11,500 financial institutions in more than 200 countries and territories, as well as Ant International’s global wallet gateway service Alipay+. The new payment solution will connect Swift’s network to the 1.7 billion user accounts on the 36 global digital wallets in Alipay+’s ecosystem.

“We are very excited to be part of this ground-breaking multilateral collaboration with Swift, banking leaders, and Alipay+ e-wallet partners to facilitate bank-to-wallet transactions on a global scale,” said Ant International General Manager of Global Remittance Jacques Xu. “Ant International will continue to support such cross-sector collaboration with fintech innovations, to build a more connected payment and financial ecosystem for businesses and consumers with ever higher standards of transparency and security, as part of our focus on promoting global interoperability and inclusion.”

The digital wallet can also create an onramp into the traditional financial system. That’s because wallets connected to banks via Swift create a bridge that allows users to build transaction histories, potentially improving access to credit, insurance, and other financial services. Additionally, it has the potential to help unbanked and underbanked consumers because the bank-to-wallet capabilities allow them to receive money directly into a wallet they already use, circumventing the barriers to opening a bank account.

“In a world of fast-moving innovation with a growing number of ways to move value, consumers and businesses expect more choice and optionality in their international payments experience,” said Swift Chief Executive, Asia Pacific, Kevin Wong. “Swift is at the forefront of providing a best-in-class experience with greater flexibility and choice. This collaboration with Ant International and Standard Chartered reflects that strategic commitment to faster, frictionless payments across multiple networks.”

The first transactions on the new payments solution have already been successfully completed between a Standard Chartered Bank customer account and a partner e-wallet.

The launch of the new bank-to-wallet solution comes as stablecoin capabilities gain traction as an alternative for cross-border payments. However, while stablecoins promise fast, low-cost settlement, regulatory uncertainty and fragmentation have limited their adoption at scale. By contrast, today’s initiative shows how banks and fintechs can deliver many of the same benefits through established, regulated rails. Backed by the ISO 20022 messaging standard, the model also ensures interoperability and compliance with global payment systems, giving it a more durable foundation than many of today’s experimental stablecoin frameworks.

This partnership is a great example of how traditional banks and infrastructure services are collaborating with international tech players, moving from competition to interoperability. By linking Swift’s rails with Alipay+’s wallet ecosystem, the bank-to-wallet solution not only brings underbanked consumers into the financial system, but also strengthens cross-border payments. For Standard Chartered, it offers a chance to remain as a central player in markets where digital wallets dominate. The launch is also validating for fintechs that digital wallets have now gone mainstream.

“We are pleased to be the bank of choice to conceptualize, test, and deliver this innovation,” said Standard Chartered Global Head of Transaction Banking Michael Spiegel. “It is testament to the versatility of our banking platform and our strategic relationship with both Swift and Ant International. We will continue to push the boundaries of finance to shape the future of our industry, securely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.”

Photo by Sora Shimazaki

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Pipe Taps Airwallex to Power Same-Day Payouts

Pipe Taps Airwallex to Power Same-Day Payouts
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Daily news
  • Pipe is partnering with Airwallex to expand its global reach, leveraging Airwallex’s infrastructure for same-day and next-day payouts to SMBs in need of fast working capital.
  • Airwallex’s global network supports local collections in 60+ countries and transfers in 21+ countries, which will help Pipe deliver seamless, localized financial services as it scales.
  • Pipe is already live in the UK and Canada with Airwallex, and is preparing to launch in Australia by year’s end.

Global trading platform for recurring revenue streams Pipe has selected global commercial payments and financial platform Airwallex to help Pipe grow globally.

The partnership enables Pipe to tap into Airwallex’s tools for delivering same-day and next-day payouts to small businesses that rely on accessing working capital quickly. Combining Airwallex’s extensive international coverage with Pipe’s local payment rails will help Pipe scale its platform globally while ensuring its clients enjoy seamless, localized financial experiences.

Pipe was founded in 2019 to provide businesses with access to working capital and financial tools. The company helps business owners who want to have the option of launching in multiple markets, saving them the hassle of selecting different partners and infrastructure providers.

“Our goal at Pipe is to enable software platforms that are serving SMBs to unlock revenue potential through embedded financial tools—no matter where they operate,” said Pipe CEO Luke Voiles. “With its broad global coverage and deep product capabilities, Airwallex gave us the support to launch in our first international market in weeks, not months. That speed and scale are critical for us as we look to expand our global footprint.”

Airwallex provides alternative accounts to help businesses manage their funds, access capital, control their spending, and embed financial services. The company helps businesses collect funds like a local in 60+ countries and make local transfers in 21+ countries. Founded in 2015, the Melbourne, Australia-founded company now processes $200 billion each year.

Pipe has already demonstrated momentum in its partnership with Airwallex, launching in the UK in late 2024 and entering Canada earlier this year. The California-based company is set to expand further, with plans to go live in Australia before the end of this year and a vision to enter markets across Europe and Asia Pacific in 2026.

“Pipe is bringing innovative embedded financial solutions to global markets with remarkable speed, and we’re proud to help power that momentum,” said Airwallex CRO Kai Wu. “Our global payments infrastructure was built to help leading businesses like Pipe reach new heights, expand access to new markets and verticals, and help them better serve their customers around the world.”

Today’s partnership is a testament to the fact that embedded financial services and offering global payments infrastructure are no longer optional but essential, especially for firms that want to scale. For Pipe’s business customers, this could make the difference between competing locally and thriving globally.

Photo by haryadi lilik

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Chime Workplace Integrates Workday Wellness Tools

Chime Workplace Integrates Workday Wellness Tools
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Daily news
  • Chime is partnering with Workday to integrate Chime Workplace into Workday Wellness, expanding access to financial wellness tools through employers’ existing HR systems.
  • Chime Workplace helps employees manage money, save, and build credit, while giving employers insights into overall financial health and benefit usage.
  • The move positions Chime beyond consumer banking, signaling its push into the employer-driven financial wellness space.

Chime announced its latest move to build up Chime Workplace, the financial wellness suite it launched in March of this year. The company has partnered with HR solutions company Workday, becoming a Workday Wellness partner for financial benefits. 

Chime will integrate Workday Wellness into Chime Workplace to bring financial wellness into its employee benefits suite. Chime Workplace offers employers a single platform with financial wellness tools and an aggregated view of employee financial health. The platform helps employees manage their money, track their savings, build their credit, and more.

Workday was founded in 2005 to provide HR tools as a service to businesses across industries. Today, in addition to offering a wide range of HR tools, the company also offers AI tools such as agents, financial tools such as payroll and financial management, legal tools such as contract intelligence, supply chain management solutions, and more.

Under the partnership, organizations using Workday can turn on benefits for their employees using Chime Workplace directly through Workday Wellness in their existing HR systems. Workday’s Workday Wellness solution offers its clients insights into which benefits their employees want and use, helping them to improve their programs and add appropriate new offerings, all in the Chime Workplace dashboard. Chime Workplace will be available via the Employer Benefits Selection Portal for Workday customers. 

“Employees today are increasingly looking to their employers for competitive financial wellness benefits,” said Workday General Manager, HCM, Workforce Management and Payroll Cristina Goldt. “Our partnership with Chime makes it easy for Workday customers to provide their workforce with financial wellness tools directly through Workday Wellness. This ultimately helps them manage money, build credit, and save—fostering a more financially confident and resilient workforce.”

The integration is Chime’s latest move to differentiate itself as a competitor in the challenger banking field. The company was founded in 2012 and formed Chime Enterprise in 2024 after acquiring employee rewards and loyalty platform Salt Labs. Chime has more than 8.7 million members. By embedding its workplace tools into HR platforms like Workday, the company is positioning itself not just as a consumer bank alternative, but as a partner in the employee benefits ecosystem. This shift may indicate that Chime intends to grow beyond direct-to-consumer banking and capture a larger share of the employer-driven financial wellness market.

Photo by Höhenverstellbar Tischgestell Maidesite

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Make the Most of FinovateFall with the Event App

Make the Most of FinovateFall with the Event App
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: FinovateFall 2025

FinovateFall is just around the corner (taking place September 8 through 10 in New York), and we can’t wait to welcome fintech leaders, bank executives, investors, and analysts back to our flagship show. With discussion sessions, networking opportunities, and 60+ demos packed into three days, it’s important to have the right tools at your fingertips to help you navigate the event. That’s where the ConnectMe event app comes in.

You can think of the app as your personal conference assistant. It gives you everything you need to maximize your time at FinovateFall, starting today and continuing after the event.

Plan Ahead

With the app, you can browse the full agenda, bookmark the sessions and demos that matter most to you, and build a personalized agenda to manage your on-site schedule. Whether you want to see the latest fintech demo on stage or catch a discussion on open banking, you’ll know exactly where you need to be and when.

Connect with the Right People

Networking has always been a cornerstone at Finovate, and the app makes it even easier. Use the attendee directory to see who else will be in the room, send messages, and set up meetings in advance. The app features an AI-powered matchmaking feature that highlights the people and companies most relevant to you, making it easy for you to make the high-impact connections you’re looking for.

Stay in the Loop

From last-minute speaker updates to location details, the app keeps you informed in real-time so you don’t miss a thing. You can also engage in live polls and Q&A during sessions, making the event more interactive and getting your voice heard.

Keep the Conversation Going

Your FinovateFall experience doesn’t end when the conference does. The app remains open after the event, giving you continued access to contacts, content, and discussions. Whether you missed a meeting or wanted to follow up with a contact you met on the networking floor, the app makes it easy to keep building relationships and follow up on new opportunities.

To download the FinovateFall ConnectMe app, keep an eye on your email inbox for a link and a code to get in. Be sure to set up your details within the app ahead of the show in order to hit the ground running. Whether this is your first Finovate or your fifteenth, the app is the best way to ensure you can maximize your event experience.

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Electronic Payments Acquires Handpoint

Electronic Payments Acquires Handpoint
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Alumni News, Daily news, Handpoint, Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Electronic Payments is acquiring Handpoint to expand into Europe, gaining offices in the UK, Iceland, and Spain.
  • Handpoint’s tools include mobile payment acceptance, an embedded payments platform, a card-present gateway, and real-time transaction reporting.
  • The deal strengthens Electronic Payments’ mobile and embedded offerings, helping it compete with newer players like Stripe and Square.

New York-based Electronic Payments has agreed to acquire UK-based Handpoint for an undisclosed amount.

Handpoint was founded in 1999 to provide in-person payments tools. The company helps its customers accept payments on smartphones, tablets, and handhelds, and enables merchants to accept card payments securely. In addition to hardware, Handpoint also offers an embedded payments platform, a card-present gateway, and provides real-time transaction data that gives merchants in-depth reporting. Before today’s announcement, Handpoint had raised a total of $8 million, most recently pulling in $2.4 million in 2021.

Handpoint demoed at FinovateFall 2012 and FinovateEurope 2012, at the height of the mobile payment acceptance wave that Block (then Square) kicked off in 2010.

Electronic Payments was founded in 1998 and offers a network of POS value-added resellers (VARs), agent banks, sales agents, and independent sales offices (ISOs) to businesses across multiple industries. Among the company’s products are Cygma, a full-stack authorization and clearing platform; Exatouch, a full-featured point-of-sale device; and ProCharge Gateway, a virtual terminal that helps process and manage payments from one central location.

Handpoint will give Electronic Payments an immediate European presence, as Handpoint maintains offices in the UK, Iceland, and Spain, new territories for Electronic Payments. Integrating Handpoint’s tools could allow US merchants that require cross-border capabilities to tap into a single payments partner on both sides of the Atlantic. Additionally, Electronic Payments could integrate Handpoint’s embedded payments platform with its Cygma clearing system, which would facilitate a more omnichannel approach.

Purchasing Handpoint will also help Electronic Payments strengthen its mobile and embedded payments offerings. This will help it compete with the self-service model that new players, like Stripe and Square, offer.

Photo by Ivan Samkov

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Behind the Scenes at FinovateFall: Spotlight on the Video Studio

Behind the Scenes at FinovateFall: Spotlight on the Video Studio
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: FinovateFall 2025

Each year at FinovateFall, the conversations on stage showcase some of the newest and most compelling ideas in fintech. But the story isn’t just limited to the stage. Just steps away from the general session, we have an energy-filled video studio that provides a space where fintech founders, thought leaders, and influencers can share their insights in front of the camera.

Working in collaboration with Informa’s video platform Streamly, the video studio has become an integral part of the Finovate experience because it offers speakers and sponsors a unique channel through which they can highlight their vision, discuss the impact of their technology, and connect with a broader audience long after the event itself. Between sessions, you’ll see us interviewing founders, executives, and thought leaders in the studio to extend the reach of both their thoughts and the show.

Here’s what you can expect from this year’s recordings:

  • Executive interviews: one-on-one conversations with fintech founders and bank executives about where particular industry subsectors are headed.
  • Company spotlights: Conversations that dive deeper into the solutions showcased on the demo stage and in the networking hall.
  • Expert insights: Analysis from industry experts on the latest industry trends like AI, open banking, digital identity, and more, as heard from the show floor.

Once recorded, our team of experts will produce, polish, and publish them on Streamly, YouTube, and the Finovate blog and promote them across social channels. Our goal is to ensure that the ideas shared at FinovateFall resonate beyond the conference itself, and will ultimately help shape conversations across the industry.

For both attendees and followers not in attendance, the videos offer another way to access insights from some of the brightest minds in fintech, even if they can’t be in every session live. Check out some of the videos from past events, and stay tuned later this fall to watch the freshly recorded sessions from FinovateFall 2025.

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Starling to Acquire Tax and Bookkeeping Startup Ember

Starling to Acquire Tax and Bookkeeping Startup Ember
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Daily news, Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Starling Bank has agreed to acquire Ember with plans to integrate Ember’s tax and bookkeeping tools into its business banking platform, giving small businesses streamlined support for invoicing, expenses, payroll, and tax submissions.
  • Ember’s software currently serves customers of major UK banks, but will become exclusive to Starling customers in 2026.
  • The move positions Starling to help businesses comply with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) Making Tax Digital mandate by April 2026.

UK-based Starling Bank announced this week that it will acquire fellow UK fintech Ember, a tax and bookkeeping platform. Starling will build Ember’s resources into its banking platform to provide small business owners with tools they need to manage their transactions and tax submissions. Terms of the acquisition are undisclosed.

Ember was founded in 2019 to give small businesses a human accountant to work with throughout the year to offer real-time insights into their finances and automated bookkeeping. The company offers tools for invoicing, expense management, payroll, tax optimization, and more to do the heavy lifting of tax and VAT compliance while maximizing companies’ visibility into their finances.

“Ember’s platform is beautifully designed to simplify complex accounting tasks through a user-friendly interface,” said Starling Bank Managing Director of SME Banking Adeel Hyder. “As Starling ramps up the roll-out of best-in-class solutions for small businesses, we will continue to build, partner, or buy as best meets customers’ needs.”

Ember currently serves thousands of UK-based small businesses, including customers of HSBC, Revolut, Barclays, and Lloyds. Under the agreement with Starling, however, the company’s software will be exclusively available to Starling Bank customers starting in 2026. Also, as part of today’s deal, Starling will discontinue Ember’s accountancy advisory services.

This is a key move for Starling and strategic timing, given that His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has mandated a Making Tax Digital requirement starting in April of 2026. Starling’s integration of Ember’s tools will help the many businesses that aren’t prepared for online tax reporting to integrate Ember’s HMRC-recognized software by the end of 2025.

The integration of Ember will be available to Starling’s business customers as part of a suite of business services. Among the bank’s other commercial customer tools are Spaces, a tool that allows business owners to put money aside for designated purposes; Bills Manager, which helps businesses pay suppliers on time; and Spending Intelligence, an AI-powered spending tracker.

“We are a natural fintech consolidator, so targeted acquisitions like Ember will form a key part of our strategy as we continue to develop Starling Bank in the UK and Engine by Starling overseas,” said Starling Group Chief Financial Officer Declan Ferguson. “Just as Fleet Mortgages has flourished since we bought it in 2021, I’m confident that Ember’s best-in-class tools will become a fantastic addition to Starling Bank’s offering.”

Photo by Peťka Šurinová

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Incode Acquires Identity Verification Company AuthenticID

Incode Acquires Identity Verification Company AuthenticID
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Alumni News, authenticID, Daily news, Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Incode has acquired AuthenticID to combine AI-driven fraud detection with enterprise-scale expertise, aiming to become a top global identity verification provider.
  • The deal strengthens Incode’s defenses against rising AI threats like deepfakes and synthetic fraud.
  • Together, the companies serve major banks, telecoms, and neobanks worldwide.

Identity verification company AuthenticID has been acquired by biometric identity organization Incode. The acquisition will bring together Incode’s AI solutions with AuthenticID’s enterprise expertise to combat fraud. The amount of the deal is undisclosed.

Incode said that the acquisition will accelerate its growth and position it as a leader in the identity authentication market. California-based Incode has seen an 80% year-on-year organic growth rate, and with AuthenticID on board, the company aims to broaden its global reach and solidify its position as a top-tier provider of end-to-end identity verification solutions.

“In the age of synthetic fraud, AI impersonation, and Agentic AI, verifying human identity has become the foundation of digital trust. Together with AuthenticID, we’re hardening the front line against these threats, so every enterprise can trust every interaction,” said Incode Founder and CEO Ricardo Amper.

Founded in 2015, Incode offers advanced neural networks and large visual language models that help detect and prevent identity fraud in real time. AuthenticID will add its expertise in regulated environments that require a high volume of verification.

Together, Incode and AuthenticID will strengthen defenses against advanced AI-driven threats, including deepfakes, which have fueled a 300% year-over-year surge in account opening fraud, and AI agents operating without identity safeguards. Collectively, the two companies serve eight of the ten largest US banks, protect eight of the nine biggest telecom providers in North America, work with four of the top five banks in Latin America, secure three leading global neobanks, and safeguard hundreds of organizations against retail fraud.

AuthenticID was founded in 2001 and offers identity proofing, ID verification, biometric authentication, and fraud shield tools to support the fight against cybercrime. Additionally, the company’s Identity Fraud Taskforce continuously develops new algorithms to improve AuthenticID’s identity decisioning engine to help identify and stop fraud. Last June, the company launched a new solution to detect deepfake and generative AI injection attacks. 

“As AI-driven fraud becomes more sophisticated, our clients need more than just point solutions—they need a holistic AI-first approach delivered by a true strategic partner,” said AuthenticID CEO Reed Taussig. “Incode’s vision and AI technology leadership, leveraging foundational vision models, enable us to deliver an identity orchestration platform that is fast, secure, and highly adaptive across our expanded customer base.”

Today’s deal is a good example of how identity verification is a strategic pillar of digital trust. As AI-driven fraud accelerates and regulators tighten controls, financial services firms need partners that can combine speed, accuracy, and adaptability at scale. By uniting Incode’s AI-first innovation with AuthenticID’s enterprise and regulatory expertise, the acquisition signals a future where identity is more holistic.

Photo by cottonbro studio

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Klarna Lands $26 Billion Scalable Funding Round

Klarna Lands $26 Billion Scalable Funding Round
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Daily news, Funding, Klarna
  • Klarna has secured a $26 billion funding deal with Nelnet to expand its Pay in 4 product in the US, diversifying capital sources beyond banks and securitizations.
  • The multi-year agreement provides off-balance-sheet funding, giving Klarna predictable access to capital at scale and strengthening its long-term growth strategy.
  • The deal bolsters Klarna’s IPO story as it postures for public markets amid rising BNPL regulation and credit risk.

IPO hopeful BNPL company Klarna revealed today that it has closed an agreement with investment firm Nelnet, which will support the expansion of Klarna’s Pay in 4 product in the US.

Under the multi-year agreement, Nelnet will purchase Klarna’s US Pay in 4 loans on an ongoing basis over the life of the program, up to $26 billion in total payment volume. In addition to diversifying Klarna’s funding sources beyond banks and securitizations, the transaction is expected to power the company’s US growth and support its long-term capital strategy.

“This is a landmark transaction for Klarna in the US,” said Klarna CFO Niclas Neglén. “Our partnership with Nelnet allows us to scale a core product responsibly, while continuing to deliver smooth, interest-free payment experiences to millions of consumers.”

Klarna notes that the structure of the funding arrangement will offer predictable, off-balance-sheet funding and showcase its ability to structure and execute large-scale capital markets transactions. The Swedish-based company will continue to originate and service all of its receivables under the program.

“Nelnet is thrilled to work with Klarna on this important transaction and support their continued success,” said Nelnet Financial Services Chief Investment Officer Judd Deppisch. “This strategic partnership leverages our expertise and financial strength to invest in attractive cash-flowing assets while supporting Klarna’s valuable offering to U.S. consumers, with the support of our lending partners.”

This comes as Klarna has been positioning itself to go public. While the company postponed its IPO plans earlier this year, it has partnered with Clover for in-store BNPL, signed an agreement to serve as Walmart’s BNPL provider, and teamed up with Marqeta on a debit card. Additionally, Klarna reached 100 million active consumers in April 2025. 

For Klarna, today’s deal with Nelnet provides a critical pillar in its IPO story. The stable access to capital at scale signals to investors that Klarna has the key to sustaining growth while navigating BNPL’s rising regulatory and credit risks. Additionally, the structured, off-balance-sheet arrangement signals Klarna’s intent to present itself as more bank-like and responsible ahead of its IPO.

Photo by Aurelijus U.

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Casca Raises $29 Million Series A for AI Loan Origination

Casca Raises $29 Million Series A for AI Loan Origination
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Alumni News, Alumni profile, Funding
  • Casca has raised a $29 million Series A round led by Canapi Ventures, with participation from major bank customers including Live Oak, Huntington, and Bankwell.
  • Today’s investment comes just 15 months after its pre-seed round and brings Casca’s total funding to $33 million.
  • Casca’s AI-powered loan origination platform helps smaller financial institutions compete with fintechs and large banks by accelerating loan processing, reducing costs, and keeping capital within local communities.

AI loan origination company Casca (formerly known as Cascading AI) announced a $29 million fundraising round today. The California-based company said that the round, which was led by Canapi Ventures, will help it to redefine business lending.

The company’s flagship customers, including Live Oak Bank, Huntington National Bank, and Bankwell Bank all invested in today’s round. Bankwell, Y Combinator, and Peterson Ventures multiplied their investments from the pre-seed raise. Alliance Funding Group participated as well.

“Casca simplifies and accelerates our lending processes while equipping us with the insights needed to build lasting relationships,” said Live Oak Bancshares CEO and chairman Chip Mahan. “The tangible value Casca has demonstrated gives us confidence to invest in their future.”

Today’s round comes just 15 months after Casca’s pre-seed raise and brings its total funding to $33 million. Casca said it will use the investment to scale its operations, expand its team, and accelerate go-to-market efforts and make its platform more accessible to financial institutions.

“Casca stands out in many ways,” said Canapi Ventures Co-Founder and General Partner Neil Underwood. “They’ve worked alongside top AI researchers and within banks themselves to simplify business lending using responsible AI and bank-grade underwriting. With Casca, local financial institutions become the lender of choice—offering more affordable rates and keeping capital within the community. It’s a big step for banking, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Casca leverages AI to speed up the loan application and origination process. The company was founded in 2023 and its loan origination platform is used by leading SBA lenders and FDIC-Insured banks. At Casca’s first FinovateSpring demo in 2024, it won Best of Show honors. The company most recently demoed its technology at FinovateSpring 2025 where it showed automated document collection that can save loan officers 20 hours a week, AI that reads 10,000 pages in 5 minutes, instant pre-qualification that accepts applications after business hours, digital account opening, and a voice assistant that can intelligently discuss loan files in real-time.

“We’re driven to be a force for good, using technology to make capital more accessible to small businesses and fueling the American Dream,” said Casca CEO and CoFounder Lukas Haffer. “Partnering with the top SBA lenders and key industry players, we’ve built a platform that fully automates commercial loans in record time, setting a new industry standard. This is a game changer, and now we are ready to scale responsibly, reaching more institutions with the white-glove service our clients.”

Today’s raise is a nod to how AI is becoming standard and is now central to how banks win small business relationships. By shaving weeks off loan processing, Casca gives local banks a competitive edge in retaining small business borrowers who might otherwise turn to fintechs or big banks who can offer speed.

Photo by James Wheeler

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Payoneer Taps Stripe to Improve Checkout for Cross-Border Merchants 

Payoneer Taps Stripe to Improve Checkout for Cross-Border Merchants 
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Alumni News, Daily news, Payoneer
  • Payoneer has partnered with Stripe to expand its Online Checkout, giving SMBs selling cross-border direct-to-consumer access to BNPL options and digital wallets.
  • The partnership will launch in the Asia Pacific where wallets and BNPL are often preferred over credit cards.
  • Payoneer, which went public in 2021 and has a market cap of around $2.5 billion, has rapidly grown Online Checkout to nearly $1 billion in annual volume.

Global payments company Payoneer is teaming up with payments infrastructure fintech Stripe to improve the checkout experience for global merchants. The strategic partnership will enable Payoneer to expand its Online Checkout offering for merchants selling cross-border goods direct-to-consumer.

Payoneer’s new capabilities will help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) accept more payment methods at their online point of sale. Stripe will help Payoneer facilitate buy now, pay later (BNPL) options like Affirm and Klarna, as well as digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

At launch, Payoneer’s new checkout capabilities will be available in the Asia Pacific region first, including in China and Hong Kong, geographies where digital wallets and BNPL are often preferred over credit cards.

Payoneer and Stripe expect that the partnership will help merchants enhance their customer conversion rates, improve acceptance rates, reduce fraud, and expand payment acceptance options for SMBs selling to direct-to-consumers browsing their own ecommerce sites.

“We are committed to simplifying cross-border online trade for SMBs,” said Payoneer Chief Growth Officer Adam Cohen. “This partnership with Stripe is a strategic step in our journey to expand our Checkout offering and deliver a best-in-class user experience at scale. By combining Payoneer’s local market distribution and expertise with Stripe’s exceptional checkout technology, we’re combining the strengths of both companies to deliver unmatched value to our customers.”

Launching new payment methods will help Payoneer attract SMB merchants, as it can help them compete globally by offering a sophisticated checkout experience with multiple payment options that are often offered by larger retailers.

Payoneer was founded in 2005 to help SMBs transact, do business, and grow globally. The company’s global financial stack helps remove barriers and simplify cross-border commerce to make it easier for businesses to connect to the global economy, pay, get paid, manage their funds across multiple currencies, and grow their businesses.

The New York-based company launched Payoneer Checkout in 2022 and has since scaled from zero to almost $1 billion in run-rate annual volume. From June 2024 to June 2025, Payoneer generated $30 million in revenue, representing over 100% year-over-year growth.

Payoneer went public via a SPAC merger with FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp. in 2021. The company listed on the NASDAQ in June of that same year under the ticker PAYO and has a current market capitalization of approximately $2.5 billion.

Photo by HT_NGUYEN

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Fintech Rundown: A Rapid Review of Weekly News

Fintech Rundown: A Rapid Review of Weekly News
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Fintech Rundown

We’re past the mid-way point of August, and last week brought some notable fintech funding rounds. What will this week bring? Here’s your look at the latest fintech news this week. We’ll continue adding news to this post throughout the week, so stay tuned!

Payments

UAE employees can now receive salaries in digital wallets as UAE telecom operator du launches new platform.

Lending

Finastra supports JICA with Loan IQ to transform private-sector investment finance system in Japan.

Insurtech

UK-based AI insurance broker Meshed raises £950K in pre-seed funding to transform SME insurance market.

Personal finance

PayLaterr partners with Experian to enhance fraud detection and leverage alternative data for smarter budgeting decisions.

Narmi and Grasshopper launch MCP server by a U.S. Bank for AI-driven insights.

Sustainability

Sustainable money app Zero unveils new Zero Carbon Projects feature enabling users to offset their carbon footprint via verified carbon removal projects around the world.

Crypto and DeFi

Tokyo-based fintech JPYC Inc. announces plans to issue Japan’s first stablecoin this fall.

Crypto payments company MoonPay inks multi-year strategic partnership with self-custody crypto wallet Trust Wallet.

Investing

Openbank, a part of the Santander Group, partners with Upvest as its investment infrastructure provider.

Turkey-based retail investing app Midas raises $80 million in Series B funding.

DriveWealth names Naureen Hassan Chief Executive Officer.

Agora expands its fund admin partnerships with Verivest, empowering a new generation of service providers.

Fraud prevention

Canadian digital lender Fig teams up with transaction monitoring and AML compliance company Flagright.

Financial crime detection platform Ivix secures $60 million in Series B funding.

Open banking

Web3 lifestyle app Syfu partners with open banking platform Salt Edge to integrate card data from more than 5,000 banks.

Back end and communications

Eltropy now integrates with over 50 core systems and fintech solutions.

FIS launches Optimized Reconciliation Service to help capital markets adapt to evolving complexity.

Photo by Efrem Efre

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