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5 Things I Learned Building a Challenger Stockbroker in London
Startups are hard. Fintech startups are harder. And a free stock trading startup is particularly so.
That’s because, in order to ship a product that our community will love and is 10 times better than their current experience, we need to go deep, to the fundamental level of building an independent, next-generation financial services company from scratch. One that not only feels clean, crisp and like a tech company, but is one.
Regulatory Big Bang: MiFID II Challenges and Opportunities
January 2018 isn’t just the deadline for PSD2’s adoption into national laws and regulation, it’s also the compliance deadline for the EU’s revamped ‘Markets in Financial Instruments Directive’ — otherwise known as MiFID II.
Blockchain Investment Trends In Review
A data-driven deep dive on the evolution of the blockchain landscape — and how VCs, token sales, and consortia are shaping its future.
FinTech for All: Access to finance for Kenya’s agriculture industry
Financial inclusion is a tool for reducing poverty, inequality, and oppression around the world. As a first generation Nigerian American, who grew up with privileges many Africans have not had access to, I have always felt it a personal mission to foster development on the continent. Professionally, I have been able to contribute to this mission through my work at a micro-lender in Ethiopia, an MFI in Kenya, and now, through alternative credit scoring at FarmDrive.
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Fintech Insider by 11:FS: Ep. 150. Fintech Insider: After Dark II
Welcome to an extra special episode of Fintech Insider - our 150th episode and it's a Halloween-themed show recorded in front of a live studio audience at our home in WeWork, London. Simon, David and Jason are joined by Valentina Kristensen, Head of Marketing at Oak North; Charlie Wood from Capco; Monty Munford, Journalist for titles such as Forbes, The Telegraph, The BBC and The Economist; and Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia.
Hot News
Freetrade.io - UK's first free stock trading app is authorised by the FCA
Their authorisation is also a step in going full stack, which for them is more than owning the tech stack. It means owning their ‘stockbroker stack’, too: becoming members of same organisations, and having the same permissions as the old guard.
Two Companies File for Blockchain ETFs
Two companies have filed to launch blockchain tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs) late last week, sparking a new derivative market pertaining to distributed ledger technology. On Thursday, Amplify Investments LLC filed for the Amplify Blockchain Leaders ETF, and Reality Shares filed for the Nasdaq Blockchain Economy ETF.
2x Called Off: Bitcoin Hard Fork Suspended for Lack of Consensus
Known for its strong early support from bitcoin startups and mining pools, the plan, called Segwit2x, or simply '2x,' was to trigger a block size increase at block 494,784, expected to occur on or around November 16th. The goal of the project, according to those involved, was to use the measure to increase bitcoin's transaction capacity, which is today constrained by the nature of the software's rules.
Bank of Amazon? USOCC Calls for Rethink on Separation of Banking and Commerce
A senior US regulator has floated the possibility of ending the long-standing separation of banking and commerce, paving the way for the likes of Amazon, Facebook and Walmart to take on Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi et al.
Revolut Becomes Latest UK Fintech Firm to Seek Banking License
British financial technology firm Revolut said on Wednesday it has applied for a European banking license, as it bids to join a growing number of digital-only banks looking to win away customers from larger, traditional lenders.
Revolut, which has offered a pre-paid cash card since 2015, is one of a number of smaller upstart finance firms hoping that coming regulation and technology can help it break the dominance of bigger banks.