The FCA will make it easier for firms to test innovative products and support new firms applying for regulatory approval as part of its work programme for 2025-2026.

Sift, the AI-powered fraud platform delivering identity trust for leading global businesses, today announced a significant update to its Partner Program, designed to support partners in transforming digital risk into revenue opportunities. 

CUBE, a global leader in Automated Regulatory Intelligence (ARI) and Regulatory Change Management (RCM), has announced the launch of RegPlatform™ Intel, its latest purpose-built product to help financial services firms in the mid-market sector remain compliant in today’s ever-changing global regulatory landscape. CUBE now has an 800-strong customer community in the mid-market sector and has developed this solution to bring a powerful mix of regulatory technology, content and intelligence to compliance and risk teams across the globe.

Paysend, the global fintech growing the world’s largest digital payment network – unifying over 20 billion endpoints into a single global, open and instant payment system – has partnered with Tink, A Visa Solution, to enhance its Open Banking capabilities. By integrating Tink’s market-leading solutions, Paysend is improving coverage, speed and payment quality for customers in key markets.

Standard Chartered and OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and global onchain technology company, today announced the launch of a ground-breaking, world-leading collateral mirroring programme, enabling institutional clients to utilise cryptocurrencies and tokenised money market funds as off-exchange collateral for trading. This initiative significantly enhances security and capital efficiency for institutional clients by using a Globally Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) as the custodian for their collateral.

Money laundering remains one of the biggest threats to the global economy, fueling organized crime, terrorism, corruption, and tax evasion. Despite ongoing efforts, financial institutions have long struggled with a fragmented and inconsistent approach to combating illicit financial activities. 

New research from global marketing group dentsu shows that Gen Z is emerging as the UK’s most financially savvy generation. According to the latest Consumer Navigator Report, almost half (45%) plan to open a regular savings account within the next three months—significantly outpacing Millennials (29%), Gen X (16%), and Boomers (14%). 

Regulatory compliance in the financial sector is often viewed as an expensive and time-consuming burden. Many banks push mandatory regulations to the back burner until deadlines loom, treating them as obligations rather than opportunities. However, compliance frameworks such as BCBS 239 not only mitigate risk but can also drive operational efficiency and innovation, particularly in data management.

The UK economy grew by 0.5% in February, according to ONS, surpassing expectations ahead of the incoming impact of tariffs and trade wars.

City of London economists had predicted a rise of just 0.1%, but ONS has reported a surprise rise driven by a boost in manufacturing and production, helping to overturn a modest dip in January.

A new income tax survey from ACI Worldwide , an original innovator in global payments technology, developed in partnership with YouGov, shows that nearly 40% of taxpayers would use their tax refund to pay debt (e.g., credit cards, loans, etc.), suggesting that the inflationary economy is eroding disposable income as Americans turn to tax refunds for debt relief. The survey also reveals that 44% of respondents chose to save their tax refunds, signaling a growing sense of financial caution and declining economic optimism.