Last night, news broke that Apple released a job posting for a business development manager who would be tasked with, among other things, serving as the company’s chief negotiator for the alternative payments space.

PJSC "Aeroflot" has signed sustainability-linked loan agreement with  PJSC "Sovcombank". The financing costs of the revolving credit facility in the amount of $320  million will be linked to the company’s ESG performance assessed by MSCI ESG rating agency. 

 An international fintech holding Robocash Group prepares for a 5M USD bond placement in the coming days together with Kilde. The group intends to use the proceeds to support its further growth. After this initial step, the company may consider another issuance in a larger amount. 

JPY Slumps, AUD, DXY Flat, USD/CNH Breaks Lower

 21Shares AG, the Swiss pioneering issuer is pleased to announce that its Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”) reached new record on and off exchange volumes on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Global fintech Gresham Technologies plc (Gresham) that specialises in providing real-time solutions for data integrity and control, banking integration, and payments and cash management, has announced its agreement to acquire post-trade automation specialists, Electra Information Systems, Inc. (Electra).

Chip, the savings and investments platform of the future, has launched the Chip Investment Platform with funds powered by BlackRock, the world’s largest investment manager. The goal of Chip Investments is to offer easy and hassle-free access to investment funds and to enable users to grow their money and build a diversified investment portfolio in just a couple of taps.

 Yabx, a fintech venture in digital lending, today announced that it is the only Indian startup that has been shortlisted by GSMA for the GLOMO 4YFN (4 Years From Now) Impact Awards 2021.

Global commodity prices continue to surge higher as the one-way streak persists off the back of a global growth story and a stronger than anticipated economic recovery. The IMF expects the global economy to expand by 6% in 2021 (vs a prior forecast of 5.5%) – this highlights the fastest expansion since 1980. From metals to energy to agriculture markets, commodity price gains are hitting multi-year highs (if not all-time highs as seen in iron ore, copper, palladium etc.) with no deterrent to the current trend.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today filed a proposed settlement against Driver Loan, LLC, and its CEO, Angelo Jose Sarjeant. If entered by the court, the settlement would require the defendants to refund about $1 million in deposits to harmed consumers, stop deceptive practices, and pay a civil penalty. The CFPB alleges that Driver Loan and Sarjeant violated federal law by misrepresenting the risks associated with their deposit product and the annual percentage rate (APR) associated with the consumer loans they make.