The new Investment Firms Regulation (IFR) aims to harmonize rules for investment firms across the European Union by: creating a more relevant framework, providing an even playing field, and establishing rules that are more proportionate. But the complex IFR requirements, including K-factor calculations, will require firms to have processes in place for monitoring, tracing, and auditing as they navigate IFR.

ClearBank, the cloud-based clearing bank, today announced it has been selected by leading cryptocurrency exchange and custodian Gemini as its UK banking services provider. Through a single API integration, ClearBank will provide Gemini with secure infrastructure including dedicated account numbers and sort codes, as well as direct access to payment rails, such as Faster Payments and CHAPS.

Atom, the UK’s first app-based bank has joined forces with Codat to simplify their business lending process.

The partnership will see Codat provide their universal API, for small business financial data, which will enable Atom to directly integrate with business customer’s accounting platforms, removing the need for manual submissions. This will result in a streamlined onboarding process and enable Atom to make faster and better-informed funding decisions. 

The cashless debate is one that continues to spark both conversation and controversy. The pandemic, which has seen many merchants discourage the use of cash to limit the spread of the virus, has accelerated these discussions. M-Pesa, a Kenyan mobile money transfer service, for example, waved its fees to support the move away from cash during the pandemic.

With lockdown 2.0 continuing, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are set to be virtual this year. This could be devastating for small, independent businesses competing against international retailers. 

Phos, the fintech behind the first-ever software Point of Sale (POS), has today announced that it is working with Dutch neobank bunq to revolutionise the way its retail merchant customers accept payments.

With the revival in consumer demand and the global trend of ‘Buy Now Pay Later’, Mswipe has launched Brand EMI as a value added service which enables merchants to offer zero interest EMI financing from Brands in less than 15 seconds. This drastically improves the checkout process, and reduces cart abandonment due to lack of suitable financing options, thereby helping small businesses drive sales.

Lukka, the leading crypto asset software and data provider, has partnered with global business information provider IHS Markit to redistribute Lukka’s institutional-grade blockchain and digital asset data products, including Lukka Prime and Luk

From Wednesday, 18th November, until Monday, 30th November, CoinCorner (CoinCorner.com) and sister company, MtSocks (MtSocks.com), are running “Bitcoin Black Friday” deals across their range of Bitcoin products and services.

Yooz, the international provider of intelligent purchase-to-pay (P2P) software, today announced the launch of its automated, cloud-based accounts payable (AP) solution in Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium.

The company is dedicated to making an intelligent, automated P2P automation solution easy and affordable for all businesses in these regions, regardless of size, industry and volume of documents.