The US-based options technology provider announced on 9 February that it struck an agreement to be acquired by ION Investment Group from the previous owner, Flexpoint Ford. Dash CEO and co-founder Peter Maragos said that the company believes that this acquisition will allow Dash to benefit from ION’s international network of business relationships. The transaction is yet to be approved by the regulators.

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As we reported previously in FinTech Wire, the European Central Bank and European Commission created a joint group to discuss policy, legal and technological issues around the introduction of the digital euro. In a recent interview, ECB’s Fabio Panetta revealed that one of the most significant matters is the potential competitiveness between the digital currency and the offering of commercial banks. Panetta states that ECB is considering establishing a threshold for digital euro holdings of around €3,000,  to prevent consumers from moving the entirety of their deposits from commercial bank accounts.

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A big step for the Buy Now Pay Later startup. Klarna will expand its offering in Germany by launching a consumer banking account, for now available for a limited number of users. However, the option will be gradually rolled out for the rest of Klarna’s German customers. This is a clear sign that the Swedish startup’s ambitions are way bigger than just being a leader in the BNPL space. But there’s more good news for Klarna this week: according to recent speculations, the startup is about to fundraise $500 million, meaning that its valuation will reach a staggering $30 billion. Way to go, Klarna!

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Ingka Investments, the Swedish furniture retailer’s parent company is about to acquire the 49% of new shares emitted by Ikano Bank, with the option to acquire the remaining 51%. This move will allow the company to improve its financial and banking offering for instore and online customers, in order to “help make Ikea more affordable, accessible and sustainable”. However, that’s not the first time when Ikea and Ikano Bank paths cross: actually, the two firms originated from the same founding family, and already have a lasting commercial relationship. Ikano Bank was the institution that provided Ikea with financial services in eight countries, so the acquisition is yet another step forward in the collaboration. 

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To paraphrase one of the most widely recognized slogans in the financial world: “There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s Bitcoin”. OK, maybe it’s still not entirely true, but last week’s news show that we’re getting closer, especially in the US. From now, BitPay users in the US can add their cards to Apple Wallet, and therefore using Apple Pay to spend Bitcoin online and in stores has become a reality. More good news came from Miami: the city major announced that residents will now be able to pay city fees and property taxes in Bitcoin. What is more, Miami city employees can receive compensation partially in Bitcoin. Miami will also have the opportunity to invest treasury in Bitcoin, therefore becoming one of the most crypto-forward cities in the world.

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