Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Institutional Tokenization ‘Supercycle’ Emerges as Core 2026 Fintech Theme
Analysis highlights a 2026 **tokenization supercycle**, driven by real‑world asset (RWA) tokenization, AI, and institutional blockchain infrastructure. Fnality’s settlement network, Exein’s AI‑security stack, and Mexico’s Plata digital bank are cited as key players enabling tokenized treasuries, private credit, and SME financing at scale.
Fnality Raises Nearly £100 Million to Scale Tokenized Settlement Networks
Digital asset infrastructure firm **Fnality** has secured nearly £100 million in Series C funding to expand its blockchain-based payment and settlement systems for RWAs like treasuries and private credit. The platform aims to provide institutional‑grade tokenized collateral and cross‑border settlement rails as stablecoin regulation in major markets becomes clearer.
Exein Attracts €100 Million to Secure AI-Driven Blockchain Infrastructure
Italy’s **Exein** raised about €100 million to build AI‑driven runtime security for blockchain and tokenized markets. Its firmware‑level tools target smart‑contract vulnerabilities and AI model integrity, addressing critical risks as tokenized assets and embedded AI spread through financial infrastructure.
Plata Secures $500 Million to Build AI and Tokenization-Enabled Digital Bank in Latin America
Mexico-based **Plata** obtained $500 million in financing to launch as a regulated digital bank focused on Latin America’s underserved SMEs. Using AI for credit scoring and tokenization for asset‑backed lending and real‑time settlement, Plata targets regions where fintech startups grew 35% year over year in 2025.
Crypto M&A and IPO Activity Hit Record Levels in 2025, Signaling Sector Maturity
Industry analysis reports that **crypto mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs surged to record levels in 2025**, highlighting a shift from speculative trading to institutional infrastructure. Deals clustered around stablecoins and payments, market infrastructure (trading, custody, compliance), and tokenization of real‑world assets, with expectations that the trend will intensify through 2026.
Bitcoin Breaks Above $94,000 as ETFs Deepen Institutional Access
Bitcoin started 2026 with a rally past **$94,000**, accompanied by a $697 million ETF inflow that underscores growing institutional participation. Commentators frame the price surge as less important than the parallel buildup of corporate finance activity—public listings and acquisitions—around digital asset firms.
Broadridge’s Distributed Ledger Repo Platform Processes Nearly $9 Trillion in One Month
Broadridge announced its **distributed ledger repo platform** processed nearly $9 trillion in transactions in December, reflecting rapid institutional adoption of blockchain for securities financing. The platform uses distributed ledger technology to enable intraday and overnight repo trades with improved transparency, collateral mobility, and settlement efficiency for major financial institutions.
FinTech Magazine’s January 2026 Issue Highlights Embedded Payments and Digital Assets
BizClik released the January 2026 edition of **FinTech Magazine**, covering trends in conversational AI, open payments, financial inclusion, and digital assets. Features include how conversational AI platforms embed payments via providers like Stripe and PayPal, as well as coverage of Ripple’s $500 million funding at a $40 billion valuation, signaling sustained investor interest in blockchain-based payments.
Generative AI in Financial Services Puts ‘Trust’ at the Center of Digital Transformation
FinTech Weekly reports that as **generative AI** enters banking and fintech, customer trust in institutions, data privacy, and AI effectiveness is becoming the decisive adoption factor. Survey data show 90% of respondents trust their primary bank, and those with high bank trust are more likely to trust that bank’s AI chatbot, underscoring the importance of responsible AI deployment in digital finance.
MENA Fintech Poised for Larger 2026 Boom After Strong 2025
A regional review finds that **fintech remains MENA’s most consistently growing sector**, with expectations that 2026 activity will match or exceed 2025. Fundraises and exits across payments, lending, and digital banking set the stage for further investment in infrastructure, open finance, and potentially more blockchain-based financial services in the region.
Retail Crypto Access Expands as iTrustCapital Named Top U.S. Platform for 2026
IRAEmpire named **iTrustCapital** the best platform to buy crypto in the U.S. for 2026 after evaluating multiple exchanges and brokers. The report highlights its focus on simplicity, institutional‑grade custody, and the ability to hold cryptocurrencies in tax‑advantaged retirement accounts, reflecting broader mainstreaming of digital assets in personal finance.