TFT’s weekly creation of product news and offers 03/03

Welcome to Fintech Fridays! Fintech Times new weekly roundup serves up something for the weekend – a shopping list with the latest offers, product launches and service updates.

Dogs Trust partners with fintech Currensea

dogs trust, one of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities, has launched a debit card in partnership with Currency. It allows supporters to donate to charity when they spend in the UK or abroad.

It is the latest charity partner to offer branded cards through Currensea’s ‘powered by’ program which allows charities to increase supporter engagement and increase donations.

Powered by open banking, the new Dogs Trust by Currensea card enables donations by rounding up spending to the nearest 50p or £1 in the UK, and also when spending abroad.

Owen Sharpchief executive of Dogs Trust, said: “Through the new Dogs Trust by Currensea card, our supporters have the opportunity to donate easily by rounding up their spending, without the pressure of a regular contribution.”

Zenus Bank launches global Visa card

Digital banking Zenus Bank has launched a Visa Infinite debit card to a global audience. Customers can make purchases at over 80 million retail locations in 200 countries.

The Visa Infinite card is usually available as a credit card, but Zenus offers it as a debit card. People in over 46 countries can remotely apply for a real US bank account online, get issued a virtual Visa Infinite debit card and also receive a physical card in under 10 days.

The physical SmartMetal card has a metal core with a Zenus brand etched into it. It serves a noticeable “thunk” when it lands on a restaurant table and weighs 13.5 grams.

UNest offers expectant parents investment and savings accounts

Fintech UNest has launched accounts for expectant parents following a successful pilot programme.

The account option for expectant parents does not require a child to have a social security number, so parents can start saving, investing as well as accepting gifts from family or friends.

In addition, UNest is offering a $25 sign-up bonus to all expectant parents who open an account with the promo code FUTURECILD25 during March.

“UNest accounts give friends and family an opportunity to make a meaningful gift that can transform a baby’s future and the peace of mind for parents to know they have taken important steps to save and invest for their child,” said Ksenia Yudina, CEO and founder of UNest.

The UNest prospective parents UGMA/UTMA account enables both savings and investment features from $5 a month in recurring deposits. Parents have the option of investing in traditional ETFs as well as green funds.

Klarna Kosma works with Buddy to enable automatic budget tracking

Budgeting app Buddy has merged with Klarna Kosma, Klarnaits platform for banks, fintechs and innovative retailers, allowing users to connect with their bank to automatically and seamlessly track spending.

Buddy’s partnership with Klarna Kosma means customers can check their account balance in real time, monitor spending and set up payment reminders from the Buddy app.

Wilko Klaassen, VP of open banking at Klarna Kosma, said: “With Kosma’s help, Buddy can create a smoother consumer experience, resulting in 52 percent more monthly active users for the personal financial management app.”

Klarna Kosma gives apps like Buddy easy and secure access to 15,000 banks in 27 countries around the world through a single API.

Zodia Custody increases coin coverage

Zodia custody has increased its coverage of custody and settlement services for cryptoassets to a total of 38 coins and tokens, based on demand from institutional investors.

The integration of new coins and tokens will help further expand the opportunities available to institutional investors to participate in the digital asset markets through Zodia Custody’s fully FCA registered crypto asset custody services.

The institutional crypto-asset services company’s expanded coverage now sees the custodian provide custody and settlement services for nine native coins along with a further 29 tokens aligned with the Ethereum Request for Comment 20 (ERC-20) standard.

Lending platform Zirtue announces product expansion

Zirtue, the relationship-based loan app, has expanded its product to include repayment requests for those who have an existing loan with a friend or family member who may have burdened the relationship.

Lenders and borrowers can move existing non-digital loans to Zirtue, and the technology platform will manage the loan, helping preserve relationships while prioritizing accountability.

Dennis CailCEO and co-founder of Zirtue, said: “We know that money and relationships don’t always mix, and asking for financial help or lending money to someone you care about can be uncomfortable.

“At Zirtue, we make sure borrowers feel comfortable asking for help, and lenders have the transparency and certainty they need to extend a hand-up instead of a hand-out, while maintaining the relationship.”

Namshi partners with Tabby to offer flexible payments

Namshi, a MENA online fashion and beauty destination, has teamed up with Tabbythe app for shopping and financial services.

Shoppers at Namshi can now choose to pay for purchases in four interest-free installments at checkout.

The partnership is part of Namshi’s ongoing commitment to provide its customers with a seamless shopping experience. It also reflects Namshi’s goal of providing users with multiple payment options that are both flexible and user-friendly.

Namshi users can take advantage of Tabby’s services when they update their app to the latest version available on the App Store and Google Play.

Binance supports several African currencies

Cryptocurrency infrastructure provider Binance has added support for several African currencies, including the Liberian Dollar (LRD), Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL), Gambian Dalasi (GMD), Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRO), and Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE).

This enables users in these regions to make direct cryptocurrency transactions with other users in their preferred payment method, local currency and price without the need for a third party or intermediary.

Users can now trade and post trade ads in LRD, SLL, GMD, MRO and CVE, or trade BTC, USDT, ETH, BNB and BUSD directly with other users using these fiat currencies at zero fees.