Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
HashKey Capital raises $250M toward $500M blockchain fund
HashKey Capital closed the first $250 million tranche for its $500 million HashKey Fintech Multi‑Strategy Fund IV to invest in blockchain infrastructure and real‑world Web3 applications. The fund targets long‑term blockchain projects and ecosystem investments across Asia and global markets
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Robinhood’s 2025 pivot: prediction markets and crypto reshape valuation models
Robinhood’s strategy leaning on prediction markets and crypto is driving revenue diversification and new valuation frameworks, leveraging CFTC‑backed platforms and its 40M+ users. Analysts note prediction markets provide real‑time crowd data for pricing, while regulatory legitimacy (CFTC oversight) supports institutional adoption
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Banks and fintechs scale AI for financial crime and compliance
Research from Hawk and Chartis shows AI moved from experimentation to operational deployments in AML, fraud and screening, with ~90% of banks encouraging AI use and many reporting cost savings. Firms now focus on controlled scaling with explainability and regulatory alignment as priorities
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UK FCA launches AI sandbox; banks partner with major AI firms
The UK FCA initiated an AI sandbox in collaboration with Nvidia to test governance and safety for AI in finance, while banks like NatWest and UBS announced partnerships with OpenAI and other AI vendors to accelerate AI transformation. These moves aim to balance innovation with oversight and operational risk controls
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Stablecoin payments startup Coinbax raises $4.2M seed to integrate into banks
Connecticut‑based Coinbax raised $4.2 million to build software enabling banks and enterprises to manage stablecoin payments with controls like multi‑party approvals and conditional releases. Investors include BankTech Ventures and Connecticut Innovations; funds will accelerate integrations with custody and wallet providers
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Bitcoin dips below $88K during thin holiday liquidity
Bitcoin slipped under $88,000 amid low liquidity in holiday trading, increasing volatility and raising speculation about a near‑term breakout or breakdown as traders return to markets. Market commentators flagged that thin volumes can amplify modest sentiment shifts
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Tokenization gains traction in money market funds and liquidity management
Tokenization is being explored as a way to modernize money market funds and improve liquidity management, with industry analyses (e.g., JP Morgan AM and Crane Data coverage) highlighting potential for faster settlement and new distribution models. Industry players are piloting tokenized cash‑equivalent instruments to increase efficiency
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Fintech funding and corporate M&A activity continues despite macro uncertainty
Regional fintech fundraising and M&A remained active in late 2025, with startups securing seed rounds and incumbents pursuing strategic partnerships to integrate crypto, payments and AI capabilities. Observers say diversification into crypto, prediction markets and AI is reshaping corporate roadmaps and valuations
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Industry funds and VCs double down on blockchain infrastructure
Multiple funds and VCs increased allocations to blockchain infrastructure and middleware in 2025, exemplified by large fundraises like HashKey’s and reported VC interest across custody, L2 scaling and tooling. The capital surge aims to accelerate enterprise‑grade blockchain services and compliance tooling
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FinTech media roundup: market commentary and ecosystem reports
FinTech media outlets summarized year‑end trends — AI adoption, regulatory sandboxes, tokenization and crypto market resilience — offering sector analyses and forecasts for 2026. These pieces consolidate survey findings and major strategic moves by banks and fintechs through 2025
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