This week in Fintech: TFT Bi-Weekly News Roundup 09/08

Fintech Times Bi-Weekly News Roundup Tuesday August 9, 2022 brings you the latest job moves and partnership updates.

Appointments

Fintech SaaS provider Tokyo has unveiled a new partnership team as part of its 2022 growth plans. Christian Ball has been appointed Head of Partnerships for the UK and Europe. While Henry Turpie is partner account manager for the UK, and Julian Martin has been appointed partner account manager for Europe.

Luna, the global cryptocurrency app, names Thomas Tudehope as its global head of public policy. The former head of public affairs at Revolut is tasked with strengthening Luno’s policy and regulatory team, and deepening the company’s relationships with industry regulators as governments look to improve their regulatory frameworks.

Meanwhile, boutique investment banking DAI Master has employed two senior advisers. Claude Sassoulas will focus on international telecom and cloud infrastructure and services, while Sudhir Ispahani will look after international communication infrastructure and global disruptive technologies within climate technology.

SunTec Business Solutions has employed Pramod Perumparambil as head of strategy and transformation. He will drive the company’s strategy for accelerated business growth that will create long-term value for customers. Pramod will also collaborate with business functions within SunTec to constantly evaluate market conditions.

Meanwhile, Serralaa B2B payment company, has appointed Hartmut Wagner as the new CEO. Wagner, former CEO of Collenda, has also held senior positions at Micro Focus, Hewlett Packard and Exact.

Micro investment platform Wombat has appointed Fazal Yameen to its advisory board. He joins other advisors including David Davies, Iqbal Gandham and Chad west. Together, they will assist the team at Wombat as it prepares to launch in Europe and other international markets, while launching new products and platform enhancements over the next 12 months.

Partnership

Thames technologythe financial card manufacturer, has been chosen by DND Finance, a multinational finance provider of commercial equipment, to produce the Score Mastercard. Score Mastercard a credit card available to everyone, regardless of credit history.

Amey Consulting has entered into cooperation with Finboot to develop a blockchain solution using its MARCO platform to cut conflict-related costs in the rail industry. Conflict costs the rail industry billions of pounds every year.

iDenfy, the external identity verification and fraud prevention firm has teamed up with the cryptocurrency investment platform Peccala. Peccala’s customers will now be securely on board through iDenfy’s full-stack 4-step ID verification procedure.

Lux Island Resorts Ltd have chosen Planet as a payment and software partner. Planet’s mission is to create a “more enjoyable booking and payment experience”. It will streamline payment processes and increase integration with LIR’s online booking platform for eight properties across Mauritius, the Maldives and Réunion.

Insight

Almost half of women lose sleep over financial worries, according to new research from Mintago. The Financial Wellbeing Platform surveyed 1,024 UK adults in full-time employment. It found that over two-thirds (67 per cent) of women have seen their financial situation worsen since the start of 2022, compared to 58 per cent of men. Over half of women have seen their monthly expenses at least double since the beginning of 2022. Fewer men have experienced this.

Company updates

Revolut, the financial super app, has released 22 new crypto tokens. The crypto offering now reaches 80+ cryptocurrencies supported in the app. Revolut is also exploring ways to introduce crypto withdrawals in Europe to allow customers to send out their tokens to external wallets and exchanges.

verto, The B2B opportunity for cross-border payments and currency has launched a new API solution. It enables businesses to automate currency conversion, global payments and recipient management. Verto is in the midst of rapid growth and expansion following a $10 million Series A funding round last year.

Financing and investments

airswift, a fintech startup pioneering Web 3.0 native payment solutions, has raised $2 million in pre-funding led by CE Innovation Capital (CEiC). Airswift, co-founded by the CEO Dr. Yan Zhang, plans to launch its first product by September 2022.

Grizzly.fi, the crypto platform, has raised $26 million in its ‘Community Fair Launch’. After going live, the Grizzly.fi team will continue to build out its ecosystem to accelerate the mass adoption of DeFi as well as improve its product offering.

Finally, Clara, the Latin American technology startup, has approved funding from Goldman Sachs for an initial $50 million with the option to increase the size to $150 million. The facility will allow Clara to continue the growth of corporate cards, accounts payable and short-term financing solutions for businesses in Latin America.