Connecting the Dots in FinTech - Funding & M&A

Exodus is acquiring W3C Corp, parent of crypto card firms Baanx Group Ltd and Monavate, for $175M The deal brings both companies under Exodus, giving the wallet direct control of the card and payments stack and expanding its reach across the U.S., UK and EU. With this move, Exodus becomes one of the few self-custodial wallets able to manage the full payments flow, from wallets to cards, while strengthening capabilities for enterprise clients using its XO Swap application. The acquisition follows Exodus’ recent purchase of Grateful and aims to diversify revenue through interchange and processing fees supporting everyday stablecoin and crypto payments. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/esuaXXEF This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

BKN301 Group secures €32M and acquires Planky to strengthen its AI-driven FinTech architecture The firm has raised €32 million through a €21 million Series B and a new credit facility from funds managed by BlackRock. The company also acquired Planky, a UK firm specializing in AI-driven financial analytics and open banking. The funding and acquisition support BKN301’s vision of next-generation FinTech infrastructure focused on scalability and inclusion across emerging markets. Founded in 2021, BKN301 provides a cloud-native suite with an API Orchestrator, Data Decoupling Layer, and Business Logic Engine. Planky’s machine-learning models will be integrated to enhance analytics and automation. The company plans to strengthen its AI capabilities, expand partnerships, and explore further M&A. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/dwiVxjdA This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

FNZ is weighing the sale of its German banking arm The FinTech is exploring a potential sale of FNZ Bank Deutschland, a unit that could be valued at more than €500 million. Discussions are still at an early stage and may not lead to a deal. FNZ acquired the business, formerly known as ebase, from Commerzbank in 2019. The unit provides custody and platform services and oversees about €140 billion in assets. The possible divestment aligns with CEO Blythe Masters’ plan to focus on profitable growth. She has said FNZ will shed capital-intensive divisions or those that aren’t aligned with the company’s core wealth platform. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/e4PJe8uj This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

Higala raises US$4M to expand digital banking access The Philippines-based banking infrastructure provider has secured US$4 million in seed funding to expand digital banking services for rural banks and microfinance institutions. The round, initially targeted at US$2.8 million, was increased due to strong investor demand. Backers include Talino Venture Studios, Chemonics International, Kadan Capital, Tenco Capital, and 1982 Ventures. The funding will support the growth of the SynerFi platform, which enables smaller institutions to connect to the InstaPay network. Adoption is also being shaped by BSP rules requiring automated, real-time fraud monitoring integrated with AML systems, creating new demand for compliance tools as rural banks move into instant payments. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/etJk6iDf This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

Paxos to acquire FORDEFI for more than $100M Paxos announced the acquisition of Fordefi, a New York-based wallet startup focused on DeFi, in a deal valued at over $100 million. The company is pushing deeper into decentralized finance. The acquisition signals growing demand from Paxos customers to access DeFi through secure, dedicated wallet infrastructure. Fordefi, founded in 2021, has about 40 employees and around 300 clients, and will continue operating independently as Paxos works to integrate its technology. This marks Paxos’s second acquisition this year, following its purchase of Finland-based Membrane Finance, a move that helped the company align with Europe’s MiCA regulatory framework. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/ejAnV6Gh This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

Omnisient - Collaborative Consumer Intelligence raises $12.5M to expand privacy-safe data insights Omnisient closed a $12.5M Series A to accelerate global expansion, including the U.S., where demand is rising for compliant alternative data to score credit-invisible and thin-file consumers. The round was co-led by TransUnion. The company positions its platform as a privacy-safe way for banks and insurers to generate new insights without exposing personal data. Its data clean rooms power predictive models and analytics aligned with U.S. and international privacy standards. Co-founder and CEO Jon Jacobson says the focus is helping lenders make better, risk-aligned decisions while reaching consumers excluded from traditional credit systems. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/dXeAuqcq This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

Clara secures $70M in structured debt to expand in Mexico and Colombia Clara has raised $70M in debt from BBVA Spark, Covalto, and the IFC - International Finance Corporation to scale its corporate card and bill-payment products across Mexico and Colombia. The new facility strengthens the company’s regional strategy without equity dilution. The company now serves over 20,000 organizations and has expanded from expense management into an integrated stack connecting payments, controls, and financing. Mexico and Colombia remain key markets, with the IFC’s participation adding a focus on financial inclusion for women-founded SMBs. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/dp3qNUS9 This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

Smith Ventures to acquire Green Dot Corporation in a $1.1B deal Green Dot announced a $1.1 billion agreement with Smith Ventures and CommerceOne Bank, setting up a two-stage transaction that blends digital banking, private equity, and embedded finance. Shareholders will receive cash plus shares in a new publicly traded bank holding company that will absorb CommerceOne’s operations. After that, Smith Ventures will acquire Green Dot’s non-bank FinTech assets for $690 million in cash. The deal was structured with support from Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, King & Spalding LLP, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Green Dot, founded in 1999, operates as a FinTech platform and bank holding company with products like prepaid cards and Go2bank. Smith Ventures plans to privatize the non-bank FinTech business, creating an independent company focused on embedded finance and next-gen payment solutions. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/ebaXct-E This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

Model ML raises €65M as its AI checks outputs in minutes Model ML secured a €65M Series A to expand globally and strengthen its AI workflow automation for financial institutions. The round was led by Financial Technology Partners / FT Partners, with participation from Y Combinator, QED Investors, 13books Capital, Latitude and LocalGlobe. Founded by brothers Chaz Englander and Arnie Englander, the company builds AI workflows that generate client-ready Word, PowerPoint and Excel outputs directly from trusted data. In recent tests, its system completed verification tasks in under three minutes, outperforming consultants from McKinsey and Bain. The round positions Model ML within Europe’s broader push toward automating high-stakes financial workflows. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/dRpfYtQv This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]

ABANCA and Revolut eye Singular Bank at a €100 million valuation Warburg Pincus has started the sale of Singular Bank, and both Abanca and Revolut are considering bids. Sources say the offers would value the private banking firm at around €100 million. Abanca has been expanding its private banking and asset management footprint through acquisitions like Ahorro Corporación, Imantia, Bankoa and Novo Banco España. Buying Singular would support its strategy to attract Latin American wealth, especially Venezuelan, seeking stability in the eurozone. Revolut, now the third most-used banking app in Spain, is preparing its entry into private banking. A spokesperson said they want to serve customers with high balances and are hiring talent across several countries. Acquiring Singular would give Revolut an immediate professional team for high-net-worth clients, though the company says it has no timeline to share. Source/More info: https://lnkd.in/eCVcU4Ks This and more updates in the newsletter. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNimrjeR Find this helpful? [ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 ] Anything to add about this subject? [𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Nice story. Next! [ 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 ]