Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Tether Engages Big Four Firm for Inaugural Full Financial Audit
Tether, issuer of the world's largest stablecoin USDT with $184B market cap, has hired an unnamed Big Four accounting firm for its first full independent financial statement audit, surpassing standard attestations. This audit tests enterprise-wide controls and liquidity under emerging GENIUS Act frameworks, following a recent Deloitte attestation.
CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted it as years of systems strengthening amid rising regulatory scrutiny.
Swift Builds Infrastructure for Tokenised Deposit Ledger MVP
Swift is constructing a shared ledger for 24/7 cross-border payments using tokenised deposits, following design completion with over 40 banks like JP Morgan and HSBC. Built on EVM-compatible Hyperledger Besu, it offers faster execution, liquidity visibility, and interoperability; MVP with real transactions planned for 2026.
Banks retain control over keys and assets via RTGS or correspondent systems.
OCC Rule Takes Effect, Boosting Ripple's National Trust Bank Plans
A new OCC rule effective April 1, 2026, allows national trust banks like Ripple's to perform non-fiduciary activities such as holding assets. This fulfills conditional approvals and could link XRP Ledger to Federal Reserve systems, enhancing institutional adoption.
Analysts see potential for XRP price impact and global banking integration.
US Labor Department Proposes 401(k) Safe Harbor for Crypto Assets
The DOL's March 30 proposal creates a safe harbor for 401(k) fiduciaries adding crypto and alternatives, implementing Trump's 2025 executive order. Backed by Treasury and SEC, it removes liability barriers for the $10T market during a 60-day comment period.
This enables ERISA-compliant digital asset investments in retirement plans.
Moniepoint Finalizes Acquisition of SUMAC
Nigerian fintech Moniepoint has completed its acquisition of SUMAC, as highlighted in today's Frontier Fintech GPS roundup. This move strengthens its position in the African payments landscape amid other regional developments.
Details on integration and strategic impacts were noted as key stories.
SARS Targets Tax Collection from Online Earners in Nigeria
South African Revenue Service (SARS) is advancing efforts to tax online earners, featured in Frontier Fintech updates. This regulatory push affects digital economy participants in the region.
It coincides with broader fintech consolidation like Moniepoint's deal.
Mastercard Partners with Scale for Card Issuance
Mastercard has partnered with Scale to enable card issuance services, according to Frontier Fintech's latest GPS. This collaboration aims to streamline fintech embedding of payment solutions.
It joins other partnerships driving issuance innovation.
Kuda Slashes Hundreds of Jobs in Restructuring
Nigerian digital bank Kuda is cutting hundreds of jobs company-wide as part of a restructuring effort. This reflects cost optimization amid competitive pressures in African fintech.
Frontier Fintech GPS covered it as a major workforce shakeup.
Plaid Reports 40% Revenue Growth to Over $500M, Delays IPO
Financial data network Plaid achieved 40% revenue growth to over $500M and has no immediate IPO plans. CFO Seun Sodipo emphasized sustainable growth over listing timing.
This positions Plaid for long-term expansion in open banking.
Agentic Commerce Advances with AI Agents and Blockchain
Financial firms are deploying autonomous AI for fraud prevention and advisory; blockchain is key for agentic commerce as a transparent settlement layer. Santander and Mastercard executed Europe's first AI agent payment; Visa launched Agentic Ready program.
First Digital's CEO highlights blockchain's role in machine-to-machine interactions.
Taft's Levin to Discuss Crypto Market Structure at STANY Conference
Richard B. Levin, Taft FinTech Chair, will speak on 'Crypto at the Trading Desk' panel at STANY's 90th Annual Conference on April 13. Topics include institutional execution, liquidity, and 2026 market structure.
Panel features experts from Solidus Labs, CoinRoutes, and Talos.