Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Plata Hits $5bn Valuation After $405m Series C
Mexican challenger bank Plata reached a $5 billion valuation following a $405 million Series C funding round, becoming Latin America's most valuable private digital bank. Previously valued at $1.5 billion after Series A and $3.1 billion post-Series B.
Kraken Parent Payward to Acquire Bitnomial for Up to $550m
Payward, Kraken's parent, agreed to buy digital asset derivatives exchange Bitnomial for up to $550 million in cash and stock, gaining key CFTC licenses. The deal is set to close in H1 2026, expanding regulated derivatives offerings.
TikTok Launches UK Creator Card with Visa
TikTok introduced a debit card for UK creators to manage LIVE and brand deal earnings, partnered with Visa for better cash flow tracking. It enables faster access to income for spending and reinvestment.
k1x Raises $175m for Private Markets Tax Data Platform
AI-native platform k1x secured $175 million in growth funding led by Sumeru Equity Partners, with Edison Partners participating, taking a majority stake. This was the largest deal in a week of $623m across 17 FinTech rounds.
Trump Scheduled to Speak at Crypto Conference Today
Former President Donald Trump is set to address a cryptocurrency conference on April 25, 2026, highlighting political engagement with digital assets. The event underscores growing intersections of policy and blockchain.
Clarity Act Stalls at 50-50 Odds Despite Backing
The crypto industry's key Clarity Act faces delays into May due to bank-crypto disagreements on stablecoin rules, despite over 100 firms urging action. Passage odds dropped from 80-90% earlier in 2026.
Bybit Transitions to Unified Financial Platform
At Paris Blockchain Week 2026, Bybit announced shifting from crypto exchange to a unified financial platform. This move aims to broaden services beyond trading.
Skrill and Neteller Secure MiCA CASP Licence for EEA
Skrill and Neteller obtained MiCA-compliant Crypto Asset Service Provider licence for EEA crypto services. This enables regulated operations across Europe.
Monk Raises $25m Series A for Receivables Automation
AI accounts receivable platform Monk closed a $25 million Series A co-led by Footwork and Acrew Capital, following a $4m seed, totaling $29m raised.
Blockchain Capital Seeks $700m for New Funds
Despite crypto market declines, Blockchain Capital aims to raise $700 million across two funds. This signals continued institutional interest in blockchain investments.
SoFi Launches Big Business Banking for Fiat and Crypto
SoFi introduced Big Business Banking, enabling enterprise partners to manage fiat and crypto on one regulated platform with API-driven payments. Partners include Cumberland, Bullish, and Mastercard.
Tennessee Outlaws Bitcoin and Crypto ATMs
Tennessee became the second U.S. state to ban Bitcoin and crypto ATMs, impacting physical crypto access. This reflects growing state-level regulatory actions.