The recent deal that saw $20 million of venture capital invested in Amsterdam-based bitcoin mining company BitFury pushed the 2015 total to $357 million thereby overtaking the $350 million raised during 2014. 

The cryptocurrency has enjoyed a steep rise in capital investment in recent years. But despite the fact that investment continues to grow, figures suggest that the growth is decelerating. 

Samsung has begun testing its mobile payments service with a small group of customers in South Korea ahead of an expected full-scale launch next month. Samsung Pay beta testing got underway this week with 1000 guinea pigs as the electronics giant prepares to take on Apple Pay and Android Pay.

The UAE Federal Customs Authority has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the organisers of Global Trade Development Week, to be the ‘Lead Strategic Partner’ for ‘The Global Customs and Trade Facilitation Summit’ for the next three years. The Summit is one of six held during the mega‐trade‐event, and will be addressed by leading customs officials and private sector heads of trade facilitation from around the world.  

Fidessa group plc (LSE: FDSA) today announced that it has been named Best Sell-side Order Management System (OMS) Provider at the prestigious 13th annual Waters Rankings awards. Voted for by the rank and file of the financial markets industry, the awards were presented today at a gala lunch at The Metropolitan Club in New York.

Comarch has become a member of BVI – a German association for investment fund management companies and investment funds.

SimCorp, a leading provider of investment management solutions and services for the global financial services industry, today announced that Dutch PGGM Vermogensbeheer B.V. (PGGM) has selected SimCorp’s Data Warehouse solution to improve operations with detailed and near-real time information on performance, analytics and benchmarks.

OptionsCity Software, a global provider of electronic trading solutions for professional futures and options traders, today announced its cloud-based futures trading platform, CityTrader.

Wall Street, Main Street and Global Competitiveness

TradingScreen, the leading independent provider of electronic trading solutions, and a group of 15 of the largest long-only asset managers in Europe have launched TradeCross,the first buy side-designed crossing platform for fixed income corporate bonds.