Industry insights, product reviews, and business analyses for all sectors of FinTech—startups and scaleups alike.
We are living in a global society where “point oh” defines and describes the evolution of things. Industry, internet, social phenomenons. We got Industry 4.0 and Web 3.0. Both complement and complete each other. To some extent, both are a natural consequence of one another. What is Web 3.0 and what is its impact on DeFi and the future of finance?
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“Open banking standards” is a term used for technologies and regulations used to provide third-party service providers consumer’s banking data. This data can be used in many ways. To provide and keep operational things like web and mobile apps, financial services, and more. To make it all possible, governments issued open banking standards and open banking directives. Since compliance, along with security, is the most vital part of FinTech business, we provide you with a brief list of open banking regulations and application programming interfaces (APIs) standards to watch out for in the upcoming months and years.
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October 28th, 2021 marks the date of a big shift. On that day, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will change the name to Meta, but it’s not the name that got the most attention. The nature of the service will change too. Zuckerberg wants to change a social media platform into a metaverse product. What is a metaverse and how to invest in a metaverse? Especially when Meta will not be the only player on the block?
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Since its inception in 2018 open banking has made a significant impact on the financial landscape in the UK. For over four years now, FinTech firms have been benefitting from open APIs that enable them to customise their open banking apps and services based on the consumer demand. This wouldn’t be possible without open banking platforms that have mastered open banking solutions, acting as a technological intermediary between banks and third parties for the greater good of the industry and optimal customer experience.
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Trending crypto events show us how the market is changing. From software itself, through the implementation of innovative payment options, to the job market. Many segments of professional and social activities are changing, because regulators and customers continue to look through the lenses of potential benefits and earnings. If crypto trends for 2022 show us one dominant thing, it’s definitely this – the market is growing exponentially and the hype train is real.
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Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) are among the strong trends emerging today in the FinTech world. The latest digital currency trends show that turning to the elimination of cash, implementing blockchain, and developing digital wallets are pillars of what might come in the future. A cashless society with billions of financial operations per minute. There are, however, counter actions from major markets. China blocked the usage of crypto, Russia is thinking about it. Where is it all going and what consequences to FinTech will it spawn?
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Current blockchain industry trends show dynamic changes in adoption and market adaptation. The situation with COVID-19 continues to accelerate business processes; blockchain as well. Companies that already use this solution, expand upon it, finding new implementations and entirely new revenue streams. Firms not convinced, cautiously experiment. No matter what’s what, blockchain trends for 2022 clearly show one thing – the age of distributed databases will continue to go strong, with many opportunities along the way.
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The shortest answer? Many companies want to secure their products, digital applications, ways to do business and methods of verifying cash flows. The longer version? The question of “who needs blockchain” should be replaced with “who already is using it and do you need it as well”. You can find arguments for blockchain in a series of our previous articles. This piece is about market confirmation and practical blockchain uses.
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Why use blockchain? The answer, contrary to appearances, is no – you don’t necessarily need it. Not every business is better for it. There are clear benefits coming from implementation but applying this technology doesn’t make your company more relevant. It just generates unnecessary costs. However, some products do benefit and here are 7 reasons why blockchain is important in today’s FinTech market.
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From a buzzword to reality – open banking has come a long way. It’s now a default setting powering a wide range of products addressed to the retail consumer. Open banking apps have become interfaces for financial services, changing the banking experience.
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FinTech is always bursting with ideas. New trends come and go, applications rise and fall. What’s constant is the consumer’s need to find a tool assisting with everyday life challenges and occasions. FinTech trends in 2022 are special because they sum up an era of product development while pointing towards what’s to come. The market landscape will look like nothing before. Are you ready for it?
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Rapid adoption and growth of cloud solutions shouldn’t be a surprise for anybody. Processing data in the cloud and additional services offered by this model accelerate not only efficiency but also innovation. What cloud computing trends should you watch for in 2022?
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Knowing your audience is key to everything you do. It’s impossible to sell a product or service without targeting it to a particular group. But how to determine who would be interested in spending their money on what you have to offer? One may just guess, but thorough research is always a better option. Let’s find out how to do it effectively and what KYC service providers to use in order to market successfully.
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Payment processing trends are changing as fast as the entire FinTech does. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated what has been already in the works. It also created new trends that are clearly visible. If your company is not on board, it will be harder to compete in the upcoming years. What are current payment processing industry trends and how can you react to them?
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FinTech innovations are hard to come by. The competition is fierce and there are thousands of companies that do the same thing you want to do. To succeed, you have to find your own voice and recipe. With this list, you can find out what currently sells and adjust the strategy and the product accordingly.
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Ecommerce is now nothing like it was ten years ago, independent online shops now have so many ways to reach new customers. Besides marketplaces, one of the most impactful of them are now price comparison sites. These aggregators grew to major players in ecommerce and how they work is fascinating. Find out all about them from this article.
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Analytics on Amazon are inextricably linked to AWS Big Data. With the huge amount of information traveling through digital products every single second, you need a reliable set of tools to properly implement analytics on AWS. Luckily, we know how to do that and will tell you in this article.
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Whether somebody likes it or not, cloud services providers and what they offer has changed the landscape of FinTech completely in recent years. At Code & Pepper we know it and we work with some of their products daily to make products for our clients. But which companies are the most popular and why? Let’s find out today!
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Data is bread and butter in modern companies. Relying on your intuition is important but some tools give you an in-depth look. Combining these two methods produces tangible results. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be technically savvy to use data management tools. You just need to prioritize business goals and figure out how they can help you. Here’s a list of the most interesting business intelligence tools you may find useful.
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If you want to gain user’s trust and have more in-app accounts, read this free ebook on how to do it. Daily FinTech practitioners and industry experts share their knowledge on data, security, UX/UI, and more.
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Having stable finances is a principle for all businesses, but what can you do, when your clients are late with their payments too often? Instead of fighting with them and being stressed all the time, you can solve the problem once and for all. Thanks to invoice factoring services, you can ensure that your invoices are always paid on time. Now, thanks to some smart FinTech solutions, you don’t even have to do much to make it happen. Let’s find out how online factoring works and which vendors are the best for your business.
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New technologies get invented and new products are created daily, but only some of them succeed long-term. But can success be predicted and can a product’s life cycle be planned for maximum benefits? Gartner’s hype cycle metrics can help you with that, find out how.
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Finland is a country of forests, but also of technology – and I don’t mean just a giant such as Nokia. Thanks to some great regulations and a huge number of talents, this Northern European country has a vast landscape of FinTechs. Let’s take a closer look at it to find out how they function!
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What is embedded finance? In a nutshell, it’s when a FinTech company puts its solutions in a third party’s app. For example, when you order a pizza and pay one way, out of multiple available options. Or when you are looking for a loan and your favorite financial app is recommending one of the top FinTech lending operators. The goal of embedded finance solutions is to provide a seamless and practical experience for users and broaden their choices while staying convenient.
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Over the years, the FinTech industry has proven itself to be one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy. Once again, it surprises with a pivot that can change customers’ habits and drive new streams of revenue. It’s called “banking as a service” (BaaS) and it stormtroops through the market. What is it? Can you participate in the trend?
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Significantly. Research and development (R&D) drive the economy through innovation. That attracts talents that push new products and services even further, expanding the internal market and creating value for export. Finally, research and development positively affect business across the board – from internal processes, through new hires, ending with a long-term strategy for growth. How do research and development affect productivity and what should you do to make it happen?
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FinTech is all about finding new ways to do business and make money. Whether it is a smart way to reach investors or a simple, retail buy-now-pay-later solution, everything is oriented towards creating something nobody has ever thought about before. Even money lending has been revolutionised lately. Crowdlending is becoming a global phenomenon as we speak, so don’t be late — find out all about it right now!
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FinTech is a very difficult market to be in. New solutions pop up frequently. Competition is fierce, compliance demands strict, and investors expect nothing but spectacular success. How to navigate these waters? We have prepared a brief list of top FinTech influencers and experts. Shapers, thought leaders, and FinTech startup CEOs will help you follow trends and innovate.
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According to the 2021 Global FinTech Rankings New York City is the third most thriving FinTech hub in the world. Innovative ideas find plenty of talent and business opportunities here to transform into successful products. Proximity to venture capital and tech-focused communities surely doesn’t hurt, either. Still, you might wonder: which startup accelerators in NYC are best to help you jumpstart your FinTech business? Read on to find out!
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FinTech has always been founded on the notion that traditional ways of doing business don’t work. There has to be an innovation that drives the sector. There has to be a value proposition that spikes customer’s interest. From now on, the money has to be secure, easy to manage, and available from anywhere and at any time. The FinTech blockchain market makes it possible.
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After finding the general landscape of FinTech in the Middle East so fascinating that I even had to present it to you in a blog post, I just had to select some of the most interesting examples of how technology changes lives in this region. You’ll be pleasantly surprised that very thorough curation in the accelerators there results in apps that are genuinely helpful and solve real-life problems! Read more to find out how.
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FinTechs going green is a popular subject among investors, startups, software development specialists, and users alike. Sustainable FinTech companies are not a buzzphrase anymore. It’s a strong trend that grows and fuels another revolution in the finance world. A green one; literally and figuratively speaking.
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Sustainable development goals have been on everyone’s lips for quite some time now. Green finance strategy fits into that trend by serving people quality products that are eco-friendly at the same time. But what is green finance and how does it benefit the market, the customer, and the planet?
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The importance of transparency in the software development process extends beyond creating a product. It’s the quality of business relationships that really matters. The market-ready product, being the final stage of a business relation, is only a result. The reason behind its successful delivery by the vendor and the acceptance by the client is an honest partnership. How to make sure that transparency in software development really works?
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A construction site on an alien planet is like a hive – everyone knows what to do, everyone has a specific role to play. There are risks and unknowns. Erection of a building under these circumstances requires careful planning, selection of materials, coordination, and teamwork. Similar rules apply in software development – engineers, product owners, designers, and quality assurance specialists are focused on their specific tasks. But the most important role is played not by developers; it’s reserved for the client. Here’s how the client’s responsibilities in product development translate into working application.
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Crowdfunding is as old as the human kind itself, isn’t it? We may safely assume that even the very first tribes made use of the crowdfunding concept to survive, while gathering resources and sharing them. But we live in the XXI century, so the first thing that comes to our minds when we think about the crowdfunding market is the Internet and platforms such as Indiegogo. But there is so much more, so let’s dive in this sector of FinTech and take a deeper look at it now.
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You surely have points to check before signing a contract with a development company. You want to make sure that the partner you are going to choose, is reliable and software quality is spot-on. This is part two of hour lenghty and very detailed article, so if you have questions to ask a software development company, visit the first material: Questions to ask before hiring software development company.
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Software development contracts can be built in multiple ways but one thing that should matter the most is software quality. Meetings and calls before the start of product development will help you make a good decision and choose the right software vendor. What to pay attention to? What to avoid? How to learn more about your partner? We made a list of 20 questions to ask when signing a contract with a software development company.
Read moreThe Middle East is a huge and diverse region spanning over three continents and populated by more than half a billion people. This diversity is also visible in the FinTech market there, with some regions more technologically advanced and some just at the beginning of their road to the future of financial services. Let’s find out more about the FinTech in the Middle East landscape.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) in FinTech is often associated with Big Data and analysis of customers’ behavior. In reality, it can be used in a wider range. Anti-money laundering (AML) AI is used to fight financial crime and secure apps’ reputation. After all, financial technology is all about trust. How is it done and what conclusions can you draw for yourself?
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Digital disruption invented and implemented by FinTech companies is a double-edged sword. Companies that went after main-street banks and traditional insurance firms, now face another era. They have to innovate to stay alive. How leading insurance companies make use of artificial intelligence (AI) will make or break their businesses. Customers face new risks and want to make sure the InsurTech sector can calm their fears. This is how you can help them.
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In the dynamically growing world of FinTech, trust and security are everything. Even one mistake in these fields can lead a promising startup to instantly fail and there are no second chances. How to minimize the business risks if it is impossible to be 100% certain of the available cybersecurity measures? Read more to find out how cybersecurity insurance providers can let you sleep tight.
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FinTech apps heavily rely on connecting with customers. They thrive by offering custom services to users bored and tired by classic banking. The more you know about your customers, the more you can give to them. The same works for prices – price optimization through machine learning is the ultimate tool for growing revenues. How is it done and what can you learn from existing examples?
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Financial technology, or FinTech for short, is a hit. It’s a global revolution that transformed the lives of many people. It enabled them to hold onto a job, manage their finances, discover better options for their home budgets. The Kalifa FinTech review for 2021 shows how much this business has evolved in the UK – one of the most vibrant markets in the world. We work with the best – two of our clients contributed to the report.
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Wouldn’t it be great if you could just buy whatever you like and pay for it within a deferred payment system? It should be easy, convenient, and cheap. Other people thought exactly the same; that’s why “shop now, pay later” solutions came to be. How does it work, who are the top players and how can you benefit from this trend?
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2020 was a year almost everything changed for most of the industries, but there is one that was affected especially severely, yet it manages to adapt. Trade fairs and conferences, including FinTech events, went 100% online and you can still take part in most of them. Moreover, thanks to dedicated platforms, it’s now easier and more accessible than ever.
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The COVID-19 epidemic turned the world upside down. Many of us think extensively about safety and security. That’s where financial insurance companies come in. They offer a feeling of having a safe bay in times of uncertainty. Some of them will face challenges because of the uneven funding or promoting already established InsurTechs. Some of them will need to rethink business models. Here’s the list of the most promising InsurTech companies to watch in 2021.
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If you save or invest your money in more than one place, you may be annoyed with how bothersome it is to check and analyze what is going on with your assets, especially in real time. But logging into alt least three different platforms, checking the values, entering data into the spreadsheet is just pointless, when you can use asset management software. Read more to find out what it is and how it can make your life easier!
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The most interesting FinTech accelerators in Scotland just needed to be covered in this series. After all, this country is becoming a major startup hub in the UK and many FinTech businesses choose Edinburgh or Glasgow over London. Want to know why?
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An old classic financial institution with multiple physical branches competes with the agile and low-cost mobile-only bank. Possible hundreds of years of tradition versus a few years or even a few months on the market. And yet, the mobile bank is on the rise, attracting users left and right; like a moth to a flame. They know their issues will be addressed quickly and every operation will take minutes, sometimes even seconds. If so, why many FinTech startups pivot early on and change the product? What common mistakes do they make?
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Imagine you could change the world with a single act. A brief moment, a statement that changes the landscape for generations to come. And it’s not an act of desperation but rather convenience. It’s not a political statement but a consumer one. This is how Generation Z takes us to the world of cashless and instant-response society with a simple act of tapping the “Pay now” button. What do these people need and pay for, what are Generation Z’s spending habits?
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Can you make money by serving people of humble means? Can you sustain a business addressed to people outside of the global financial system? Limited market opportunities and few coins in the pocket don’t have to be a dead end. As Bill Gates once said: there’s a difference between banks and banking. If you need proof that FinTech companies can provide quality services to customers despite their financial status, look at neobanks in Africa.
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After taking a closer look at FinTech accelerators in Tel Aviv, Berlin and London, we’re going on a quick trip to the banking capital of the world—Zurich. Apparently, this Swiss city is a popular spot for FinTech startups and institutions that help them break ground. We selected some of the most interesting ones and here’s what we found out.
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Two reports, two gold mines full of data, insights, and conclusions. The Paypers’ report and the McKinsey’s report offer a thorough analysis of ways people have used their mobile devices in 2020. For complete analytics, we send you over to these sources. For everything else—major changes, global trends, behavioural shifts—we ask you to stay with us. Here are both reports in a nutshell, with key data about preferred online payment methods in eCommerce and our in-house commentary.
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The year 2021 will be all about personalization, integrations and connections. Customers want to experience, not just use digital products and they want a broader spectrum of services. That’s why FinTech companies are joining forces with firms offering added value. Finally, people expect connection with other people. Companies who will create communities around their products will win people’s minds and wallets. Recently, we wrote about FinTech trends for 2021, now let’s talk about top FinTech companies to watch in 2021.
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You don’t have to be a millionaire to invest in stocks, currencies or even precious metals. Trading has been a widely available option for decades, but thanks to web based platforms it’s now easier than ever. Such platforms are also great examples of FinTech in practice: how they are made, how they work and what are their best features depends both on the market needs and what their creators can actually offer. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular online trading platforms to find out why they have succeeded.
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The year 2020 has brought many breakthroughs. The massive shift towards remote work has proven things can be done, even if people don’t work face-to-face. The prolonged lockdown has probably changed customer spending habits forever and has impacted many industries, not only e-commerce. Meanwhile, the FinTech stage has grown exponentially, bringing comfort and convenience to everyone, even the unbanked. What will the industry look like next year? Here is our list of the most interesting FinTech trends in 2021.
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We’ve already analysed the most impressive FinTech accelerators in Tel Aviv and in London, but we’re not planning to stop. This series of articles will be a frequent visitor on the Code & Pepper blog and we’re going to keep them all up to date. This time, let’s take a trip to the capital city of Germany—Berlin—where cultures mix, currywurst is everywhere and so are FinTechs. Come along and take a closer look at FinTech accelerators in Berlin!
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Many sports fans have a saying, often expressed on a wall of their neighborhood building: “you will never walk alone”. It shows the mass support of the entire ecosystem designed to help the team. The same goes for InsurTech—the future of the industry lies in platforms and ecosystems. Everything in favour of interconnected services, giving the user the ultimate experience.
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In business, good enough is often not enough. Many people are turning away from incumbent financial institutions because traditional banking can’t provide the level of services they are actively seeking. Meanwhile, FinTech startups introduce innovative service offerings almost every month. Investors keep their eyes open, they don’t want to miss a potential unicorn. Here’s a list of important FinTech investment trends to watch—maybe they’ll bring another industry star.
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InsurTech stands for insurance technology, but this term can still be considered pretty abstract. After all, how can cutting edge technology work in the insurance industry? As with all innovative ideas, there are many ways to reach the goal. Read on to learn all you need to know about InsurTech industry: its history, how it’s used to make life easier and accelerate business, and what its future is going to look like!
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Digital transformation is like taxes or iPhones: present everywhere. Despite many CEOs, CTOs and CIOs being interested, not all of them have a clear picture. In reality, it’s not only about technology. It’s a tool that enables teams to work efficiently, creating even more valuable products. But first – security.
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Every digital business needs a reliable toolset that will support its operations. And for many of them, online payment processing platforms are essential: according to a 2018 survey, 62% of UK’s small and medium enterprises use digital solutions to make or accept payments. However, choosing among a plethora of payment processing companies is not a breeze. This one decision can have serious implications in multiple areas, starting with customer experience, transaction security, and even your business cash flow.
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Payment technology remains one of the most dynamically developing sectors of FinTech. Its disruptive potential and versatility make it the perfect breeding ground for innovation, actively redefining digital experience in finance. However, challenging the status quo comes with a package of challenges in their own right. When coins changing hands are replaced by bitcoin trading platforms and wads of cash are turned into digital wallets – how well is your business prepared for the ultimate digital-first future?
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According to its origin myth, FinTech was born out of the global financial crisis and the huge behavioural shift it had brought. Fast forward another 10+ years, and we are on a brink of another economic twist. This time with a slightly different cocktail of inhibitions and attitudes. Although creative and agile by definition—are all FinTechs equally equipped to withstand the blast of a market shakeout? Another week into the general lockdown, the industry’s resilience and adaptability meets trial by fire.
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FinTech has been on the rise since the turn of the 21st Century and analysts estimate the sector’s revenue generation will reach $4.8 trillion in 2020. A healthy mix of traditional banks and upcoming startups gives the industry a strong outlook for future growth. Successful cross-platform FinTech apps reach users across as many platforms as possible, including iOS, Android, and Windows OS. Frameworks like .NET Core, React Native, and Flutter are helping to make this happen. Let’s dive into how you can emulate some of the best financial apps that run on all platforms.
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Tel Aviv is home to dozens of accelerator programs designed to equip founders and startup companies with business training and industry know-how. With them, you’ll not only start the right way but also the big way. Not every program is the same, though. Which FinTech accelerators are worth your while and would be a good match for your business? Take a look at the lucky 13 of the best accelerators you can find in and around the hot & breezy city of Tel Aviv.
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London is a sprawling economic hub that boasts a mind-boggling 750 FinTech companies. The “Big Smoke” represents 84 percent of the UK’s VC, CVC, and PE investment volume, making it a desirable place for startups to find their financial feet. Looking for investors? Connections? Opportunities? Here are 8 FinTech accelerators in London you need to know about in 2020.
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