Libra renamed Diem as it seeks regulatory approval

Libra renamed Diem as it seeks regulatory approval

Libra, the Facebook-backed digital currency, is now called Diem, the latin word for “day”. The Libra Association, the Switzerland-based international body that oversees the currency, will now be called the Diem Association.

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Stripe reportedly in fundraising talks, which could propel valuation beyond $70B

Stripe reportedly in fundraising talks, which could propel valuation beyond $70B

Stripe, whose technology allows merchants to accept payments, is in talks regarding a new funding round, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources.

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Coinbase faces scrutiny over alleged harassment and discrimination claims

Coinbase faces scrutiny over alleged harassment and discrimination claims

A New York Times report about treatment of minority employees at cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has garnered attention as fintech and financial firms strive to improve their performance on diversity and equity issues.

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Bitcoin surges past $19,000, nears all-time high before crashing

Bitcoin surges past $19,000, nears all-time high before crashing

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, bitcoin’s price rose beyond $19,000, edging closer to its all-time high of $19,783 in 2017. The rally didn’t last, however, with the value of bitcoin falling 14% by Thursday, Nov. 25. Other cryptocurrencies also experienced significant losses.

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Digital banking startup Current crosses 2 million customers, raises $131M

Digital banking startup Current crosses 2 million customers, raises $131M

Current, a New York-based digital banking startup, has picked up $131M in Series C funding, following a year of “exponential growth” for the company.

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As customers embrace wealth management apps, client satisfaction lags behind

As customers embrace wealth management apps, client satisfaction lags behind

The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Wealth Management Mobile App Satisfaction Study reports that while customers use wealth management apps more the pandemic, client satisfaction lags behind other consumer financial institutions such as credit card companies, retail banks and insurance companies.

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PayPal acquiring lion’s share of newly minted bitcoins, claims Pantera Capital

PayPal acquiring lion’s share of newly minted bitcoins, claims Pantera Capital

In a recent investor letter, cryptocurrency and blockchain investment firm Pantera Capital claimed PayPal’s foray into cryptocurrency may be driving the current bitcoin rally. Bitcoin prices hit a three-year high last week.

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Starling Bank breaks even thanks to strong customer growth

Starling Bank breaks even thanks to strong customer growth

Growth in consumer accounts and a rush of revenue have propelled U.K.-based challenger bank Starling to break-even status, a feat few challenger banks have managed to pull off. The company reported an operating profit of £0.8M ($1M) for October, or £10M ($13.3M) on an annualized basis.

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Point-of-sale lender Affirm files to go public

Point-of-sale lender Affirm files to go public

Affirm, an 8-year-old ‘buy now, pay later’ firm founded by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, filed to go public amid doubling year-over-year revenue in the third quarter and narrowing losses.

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Wealth management fintech Oranj to shut down by end of the year

Wealth management fintech Oranj to shut down by end of the year

Financial Planning first reported that 6-year-old wealth management software firm Oranj is shutting down by the end of the year.

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Daylight, a challenger bank for LGBT+ customers, launches in the US

Daylight, a challenger bank for LGBT+ customers, launches in the US

Daylight is a mobile-first digital banking platform launched to support LGBT+ people as they navigate their financial challenges.

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Google Pay takes on Venmo with updated app and peer-to-peer features

Google Pay takes on Venmo with updated app and peer-to-peer features

A revamped Google Pay app rolling out this week will include bank accounts, peer-to-peer payments, and personal finance features.

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DOJ gives Mastercard green light to acquire aggregator Finicity

DOJ gives Mastercard green light to acquire aggregator Finicity

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared the way for Mastercard to acquire data aggregator Finicity, in a deal valued at $825 million.

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CVS begins to accept Venmo and PayPal QR code payments

CVS begins to accept Venmo and PayPal QR code payments

This week, pharmacy retailer CVS announced that customers can use Venmo and PayPal QR codes on their phones to pay for goods at stores.

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PNC to buy BBVA’s US operations for $11.6B

PNC to buy BBVA’s US operations for $11.6B

PNC Bank plans to buy Spanish bank BBVA’s U.S. operations in an all-cash deal valued at $11.6B. The deal will create the fifth-largest U.S. bank by assets.

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