The government has quietly been testing blockchain technology for benefits payments July 10, 2016 The government has quietly been testing out blockchain technology to make benefit payments, it has been revealed. The department of work and pensions (DWP) has worked with Barclays, Npower, University College London and a UK-based distributed ledger platform startup called GovCoin to create an app which tracks spending. "Claimants are using an app on their phones [...]
Here’s how UK fintech’s rallying action in a post-Brexit no-man’s land July 10, 2016 London's fintech industry is rallying to action after the vote for Brexit in a bid to alleviate the fears of startups, along with their investors and supporters, over issues such as capital, market access and talent. The industry is already formulating a plan in the face of overwhelming uncertainty and a lack of clarification from political leaders on [...]
UK fintech startups are more attractive than ever post-Brexit, one investor claims July 10, 2016 A major tech investor has said it's likely to become more aggressive in its UK investments following the Brexit vote, while funds based outside the UK will find investing in startups based here more attractive. Anthemis, which has invested in fintech firms such as Azimo, eToro and Currency Cloud as well as challenger bank Atom, holds most of [...]
GLI Finance Louise Beaumont says the industry is becoming increasingly dog eat dog July 7, 2016 Like all parts of financial services, the alternative finance sector is coming to terms with the post-referendum landscape and what the Brexit decision means for the future. This comes on top of the ongoing issues at US marketplace lender Lending Club which have continued to attract negative headlines. With the tectonic plates of alternative lending continuing [...]
Post-Brexit passporting questions hang over fintech too July 5, 2016 The question of passporting hangs over fintech startups as well as banking in a post-Brexit world. Half of fintech firms in the UK stand to lose access to the European market handed to them by passporting. A snap survey of around 100 members of industry body Innovate Finance following the referendum result found half are authorised [...]
London tech heavyweights call for European talent to remain in the capital following Brexit vote June 30, 2016 The London tech community has called for non-UK Europeans working in the sector to stay following the country’s vote to quit the European Union. Russ Shaw, founder of lobby group Tech London Advocates (TLA), has gathered around 150 signatures, including the Mayor of London and the likes of entrepreneur and angel investor Sherry Coutu and co-chief executive of digital literacy [...]
Fintech boss Rajesh Agrawal named as deputy mayor for business and enterprise June 29, 2016 Fintech entrepreneur Rajesh Agrawal has been named as the new deputy mayor for business and enterprise. Agrawal, chief executive of Rational FX and online money transfer platform Xenday, was named to the position by London mayor Sadiq Khan earlier today. Khan has tasked Agrawal with protecting jobs and growth while trade negotiations with the European Union and other countries take place. Agrawal said: Having run my [...]
Bitcoin price has risen more than $100 in the last 12 hours as traders panic over the EU referendum results June 24, 2016 Bitcoin has risen in value by more than $100 in the last 12 hours, as traders panicked over the outcome of the EU referendum. Just before 4am its value was at $654.08 – up from $563.92 at 5pm yesterday, according to Coinbase. The pound was taking its worst battering in years after it fell more than seven [...]
Wealth management firms told to target social media as they face fintech challenge June 23, 2016 Wealth management firms are being encouraged to up their game on social media to better cater for the digital needs of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Capgemini’s 20th World Wealth Report also warned fintech companies are “making inroads along the entire expanse of the wealth management lifecycle”. “Firms need to be making progress on all aspects of [...]
These money transfer startups are restricting services on referendum day June 22, 2016 Several of the UK's fast growing online money transfer companies have said they will restrict their services on the day of the EU referendum. The unprecedented step is due to the potential volatility of currency markets on Friday. Startup Azimo has said it will temporarily suspend money transfers from 6am on Thursday morning when polls open, until "things have settled [...]