financeFriday, June 26, 2026
Fintech infrastructure is the story today. Airwallex's massive raise and valuation jump signal that cross-border payments are still a hot space, while Coverd and QI Tech show the next wave of card and credit innovation is about real-time rewards and embedded BNPL. Meanwhile, crypto regulation deadlines loom in the EU and Curaçao, and Google finally ships a dedicated Finance app.
Two big funding stories and a new card architecture point to a sector still hungry for better payment rails.
Airwallex's $11 billion valuation (up 38% in six months) and $320 million raise show cross-border payments is still a growth story. The pivot to AI-agent finance is the new twist.
Jack Zhang's billionaire status is a milestone for Australian fintech. Airwallex has expanded well beyond payments into banking and bookkeeping for 300,000 businesses.
Coverd is building a credit card that pays instant cashback, using modern processing to undercut traditional issuers. It's a bet that real-time rewards can win market share.
MiCA enforcement starts July 1 in Europe, and Curaçao lays down new rules for crypto casinos, both with real teeth.
The July 1 MiCA deadline is no joke: over 1,200 registered crypto firms in the EEA could be forced to shut down if they don't get full authorization. Only a handful have complied so far.
Curaçao's new crypto casino rules, wallet screening, mixer bans, phased compliance by 2027, could reshape a major offshore gambling hub.
Virtual Cards Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2035www.marketresearchfuture.com
Oil slides nearly 2% as markets look past fresh Iran tensions and focus on supply outlookwww.cnbc.com
Forget max pain. Bitcoin is well below the $72,000 magnet going into $10 billion options expirywww.coindesk.com
Robert Jenrick says questions about £5m donation to Farage are legitimatewww.theguardian.com
Digital trade finance: Still waiting for take-offwww.gtreview.comGoogle Finance now available as dedicated Android app9to5google.com
Google has officially launched the AI-powered redesign of Google Finance, moving it out of beta with a new dedicated Android app. The overhaul, which began beta testing in August 2025, integrates Gemini AI models for stock research and queries, advanced charting, and real-time da
QI Tech and Ant International's Bettr Partner to Expand Credit Access for E-Commerce Merchants and Consumers in Brazilfinancialpost.com
QI Tech and Ant International's Bettr have partnered to expand credit access for e-commerce merchants and consumers in Brazil. The collaboration introduces working capital programs for SMEs and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options on e-commerce platforms, allowing consumers to selec
Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin goes live in Japan after regulatory approvalwww.coindesk.com
Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has gone live in Japan after receiving regulatory approval from Japanese financial authorities. The U.S. dollar-backed token, cleared as a new category of payment instrument, is being offered by SBI VC Trade to both institutional and retail customers. Th
The article discusses the U.S. national debt reaching $39 trillion and the bond market's reaction to the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance under new Chair Kevin Warsh. While the Fed signaled a potential rate hike later in the year (reversing earlier expectations of cuts), the bond
Søren Linding: Mærsk bør tage MSC-bejlerier særdeles alvorligtfinans.dk
This commentary discusses how A.P. Møller-Mærsk's partner strategy with MSC may be coming to an end, forcing the shipping giant to make massive financial commitments and a strategic pivot. The article highlights that the difficult strategic decisions ultimately land on the desk o
Arco-coöperanten hopen langs kassa te passeren bij gedeeltelijke verkoop Belfiuswww.tijd.be
Approximately 30,000 cooperants of Arco, the investment arm of the former ACW, are seeking a share of the proceeds from the partial sale of bank-insurer Belfius. Arco was a major shareholder of Dexia, Belfius's predecessor, which is still fully government-owned.
King Charles reveals his personal tax bill. Spoiler alert: He’s very rich.www.washingtonpost.com
King Charles III has become the first British monarch to publicly disclose his personal tax bill, breaking centuries of royal financial privacy. The unprecedented move is seen as an effort by Buckingham Palace to manage fallout from damaging revelations about the finances of his
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