For anyone attending Mobile World Congress last week, they have no doubt gone to bed dreaming of 5G networks and foldable smartphones. But dig a little deeper, and there was a lot more up for discussion (honestly). As always, the show offered insight into the big trends that really matter across payments and commerce. 

Securing IoT commerce 

ESMA has released a statement which amongst other things includes clarification for EU investment firms that they will have to publish their OTC trades via an EU APA if a UK counterparty is involved.

IPsoft, the global leader in enterprise AI, today announced the general availability of 1Bank™, the first conversational banking solution. 1Bank is powered by Amelia, 

The UK has risen one place, to third, in a global ranking of most promising countries in the world for technology breakthroughs that have a global impact.

A staggering 75 per cent of consumers would not know what to do if they fell victim to cybercrime. According to the Affinion Cybercrime SOS report, despite high levels of concern and awareness, there is widespread confusion about where the lines of responsibility fall and who to turn to. 

Finantix, the global provider of digital enabling software for the banking, wealth and insurance sectors, has appointed Marc Bussell to the role of Global Marketing Director. Bussell joins Finantix as the company continues to expand in markets across Europe, Asia and North America. His appointment follows the strategic investment in Finantix by Motive Partners announced late 2018 and represents a further key step in building out the firm’s brand. 

Wealthify, the online investment service which last month launched its first Junior ISA, today continues its vision to get the nation investing by reminding parents that a huge £70,000 could be accumulated, by the time their child turns 30, by saving just £20 per week.

Invesco is launching an innovative ETF (exchange traded fund) designed to target companies with potential to generate real earnings from blockchain technology. The Invesco Elwood Global Blockchain UCITS ETF has been developed in partnership with Elwood Asset Management (“Elwood”), an investment firm specialising in providing institutional investors with exposure to digital assets and blockchain technology.

Equiniti Credit Services, the UK’s leading consumer credit technology and outsourced service provider, today announces publication of its latest annual research report. A three part harmony: how regulation, data and CX are evolving consumer attitudes to credit explores the key trends impacting consumer attitudes to unsecured lending, including open banking, customer centricity, and flexibility.

Vista Group (VistaBankGroup.com), a challenger bank building itself into a world class pan-African financial institution specifically designed to meet the needs of retail and commercial customers, has partnered with Temenos (SIX: TEMN) (Temenos.com), the banking softw