Core Thesis - Nu Holdings Ltd. is positioned for significant growth in the U.S. market through its recent filing for a national bank charter, which will enable it to expand operations and better serve underserved communities [2][5]. Expansion Strategy - The filing for a U.S. national bank charter is a critical step for Nu, allowing it to operate across all 50 states and target low-income and Latin American communities [2][4]. - Nu's expansion strategy includes offering no-fee accounts, competitive credit cards, high deposit interest, loans, investment products, crypto services, and low-cost remittances, appealing to an estimated 60 million potential customers [4][5]. Competitive Advantage - Nu leverages cloud-based infrastructure, AI, and automation to maintain a structural cost advantage over traditional U.S. banks, enabling scalable and low-cost operations [5]. - The company has a strong balance sheet and regulatory experience across three countries, which enhances its likelihood of receiving approval for the bank charter [3][5]. Market Opportunity - The U.S. market represents a multibillion-dollar opportunity for Nu, with the potential to replicate its successful growth trajectory in Latin America [5]. - Although meaningful profits are projected to be years away, the filing indicates Nu's long-term ambition to establish itself as a dominant low-cost digital bank [5]. Performance Metrics - Nu Holdings Ltd.'s stock was trading at $17.04 as of January 12th, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 33.03 and 21.23 respectively [1]. - The stock has appreciated approximately 29.77% since a previous bullish thesis was published, reflecting continued execution and growth in the region [6].

When a company wants to pay its employees in different countries using stablecoins, it encounters a roadblock: many countries use different stablecoin service providers. There is Yellow Card in South Africa, Onmeta in India, and so on. Pankaj Bengani, a veteran of payment giant Block, founded Meld in part to fix this issue. He is building a network that aims to be a one-stop shop for companies and individuals to access and convert digital assets globally. The startup announced on Wednesday that it raised ...

Financial Aid and Stimulus Developments - No new federal economic impact payments are scheduled for January 2026, with the last aid round concluding in 2021, and residual Recovery Rebate Credits being processed until early 2025 [1] - Proposed tariff-funded dividends of $2,000 per citizen are under discussion, with no congressional approval or timeline, potentially targeting 2026 for implementation [2] - A $1,776 tax-free "Warrior Dividend" has been distributed to approximately 1.5 million military service members as a supplement to housing allowances [2] Social Security and Cost-of-Living Adjustments - Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in January, increasing average monthly benefits by around $56 [3] - Retired workers may receive average benefits of about $2,013 pre-COLA, with maximums reaching $5,108 for top earners who delayed claims [4] Corporate Settlements and Refunds - Amazon's $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC includes $1.5 billion in refunds for deceptive subscription practices, capped at $51 per affected customer [4] - Alphabet's $700 million settlement over alleged monopolistic practices in the Google Play Store promises automatic payments to users overcharged from 2016 to 2023, expected to be distributed via PayPal or Venmo after court approval in April 2026 [5] Fintech Innovations in Financial Distributions - Fintech companies are enhancing the distribution of financial aids, with platforms like PayPal and Venmo facilitating faster, contactless transfers, reducing processing times from weeks to days [7] - Integrations with direct deposit systems through apps like Chime or Cash App allow users to track government aids in real-time, promoting financial inclusion for underserved consumers [8] - The digitization of payouts by fintechs aims to cut administrative costs and improve economic resilience, transforming complex settlements into efficient user-friendly experiences [8] State-Specific Developments - Minnesota's childcare subsidies are facing disruptions due to a freeze on federal payments over fraud concerns, with a deadline for submitting recipient details set for January 9, 2026 [6]

Core Insights - Payments banks in India accept deposits but cannot lend, instead investing customer deposits in government securities to generate modest interest and occasional gains [1] - They earn fees and commissions from various activities including digital payments, remittances, and micro-ATM transactions, contributing to their revenue model [2] Industry Overview - There are six payments banks in India, collectively holding only 0.1% of total bank deposits, yet they have managed to survive and serve over 250 million customers, primarily in rural and semi-urban areas [3] - Payments banks were established to enhance financial inclusion, utilizing the Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) framework to create a "phygital" model that combines digital banking with physical customer touchpoints [6] Customer Engagement - Payments banks have successfully improved financial inclusion by leveraging trusted local brands and agents, particularly reaching women customers who prefer familiar local representatives [7][19] - They provide accessible financial services through neighborhood customer service points, making banking less intimidating for first-time users [8] Brand Trust and Recognition - High customer acceptance is attributed to the backing of well-known brands like Airtel and Jio, which are among India's top valuable brands [9] - Payments banks have seen rising transaction volumes, comparable to large traditional banks, despite their relatively short existence [10] Business Model and Growth - Payments banks face regulatory limitations, such as a cap on deposits and restrictions on offering fixed deposits, yet they have adapted by focusing on their strengths to acquire customers [13] - Airtel has dominated the National Common Mobility Card market, while Fino and NSDL excel in micro-ATM and AePS segments, crucial for remote areas [14] Financial Products and Innovations - New product offerings, such as Jio Payments Bank's 'Savings Pro' account, attract customers by providing liquidity and returns, integrating them into a larger financial ecosystem [15] - Payments banks outperform other bank categories in terms of deposit value owned by women, with initiatives to support female customers and agents [18][19] Risk Mitigation and User Trust - Payments banks serve as a gateway for users hesitant about digital banking, with campaigns like Airtel's 'safe second account' promoting safer transaction practices [22] - They resonate particularly with elderly and less tech-savvy users, offering a low-risk entry point into digital finance that emphasizes familiarity and trust [23]

Opening a first savings or checking account with birthday money or a first paycheck is a rite of passage for many Americans, but millions of adults are just now doing that or are learning how to use their accounts to improve their finances, banking experts say. In 2024, 4.8 million new Bank On accounts were opened, up 27% from the year before, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. Bank On, an initiative led by the nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, also known as CFE, brings together a ...

Core Insights - D1 Capital Partners has initiated a new position in MercadoLibre, acquiring 128,803 shares valued at approximately $301 million, indicating renewed institutional interest in the company [1][2][10]. Company Overview - MercadoLibre is the leading e-commerce and fintech platform in Latin America, leveraging an integrated ecosystem that includes marketplace, payments, credit, and logistics to enhance user engagement and cross-sell financial services [6][9]. - The company has a market capitalization of $104.8 billion, with a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $26.2 billion and a net income of $2.1 billion [4]. Financial Performance - In the third quarter, MercadoLibre reported a revenue increase of 39% year over year, reaching $7.4 billion, marking its 27th consecutive quarter of over 30% growth [10]. - Operating income for the same period rose to $724 million, with a margin of 9.8%, while net income reached $421 million, driven by increased commerce and fintech adoption [10]. Investment Thesis - D1 Capital's investment reflects a broader strategy of acquiring dominant platforms with multi-vertical business models, suggesting that long-term investors view MercadoLibre as a durable growth opportunity [11]. - The company's expanding ecosystem across payments, credit, logistics, and advertising is seen as a central thesis for its investment attractiveness, particularly in key markets like Brazil and Mexico [11].

Core Insights - Pathward Financial, Inc. is launching an evolved operating model aimed at enhancing innovation and growth while providing better support for clients and partners [1][2] - The new model emphasizes a seamless experience for business partners, aligning with fintech partners to ensure sustained success [2] - Key leadership changes include Christopher Soupal as Chief Growth Officer, Will Sowell as Chief Customer Officer, and Greg Cooper as Business Risk Group Leader, all reporting to President Anthony Sharett [3][4] Leadership and Structure - Christopher Soupal will lead Business Development and Revenue for Commercial Finance, Credit Solutions, and Partner Solutions, focusing on multi-threaded solutions for partners [2][4] - Will Sowell will oversee Customer Success, ensuring partners and customers achieve desired outcomes through Pathward's platform [3][4] - Greg Cooper will lead the Business Risk Group, providing tailored risk and compliance expertise to support partners [3][4] Business Focus - Pathward aims to streamline operations and enhance financial inclusion and access through horizontal integration [4] - The bank offers a range of solutions including issuing, merchant acquiring, digital payments sponsorship, and various financial solutions for businesses [5] - Pathward's mission is to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity across its Partner Solutions and Commercial Finance business lines [6]

Core Insights - Vodafone Group's African subsidiary, Vodacom, is set to acquire a 20% stake in Safaricom Plc, Kenya's leading telecom operator, increasing its ownership to 55% [1][8] - The acquisition involves purchasing 15% from the Government of Kenya for €1.36 billion (KES 204 billion) and 5% from Vodafone for €0.45 billion (KES 68 billion) [1][4] - The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals in Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia [5][6] Transaction Rationale - The acquisition allows Vodafone and Vodacom to gain controlling ownership of a successful telecom and financial services business in Africa [3] Company Overview - Safaricom, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, has a market capitalization of €7.7 billion and is the largest telecom company in Kenya [4] - The company has a significant portfolio, including a majority shareholding in Safaricom Ethiopia and the M-Pesa fintech platform, which has over 100 million daily transactions and 38 million customers in Kenya [4] - For the six months ending September 30, 2025, Safaricom's service revenue in Kenya increased by 9.3%, driven by a 14% growth in M-Pesa revenue [4]

Core Insights - The Philippines has a $60 billion opportunity to transform its capital markets through asset tokenization, as outlined in the white paper for Project Bayani [1] - The tokenized asset market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2030, with public equities leading at $26 billion, followed by government bonds at $24 billion, and mutual funds at $6 billion [2] - The initiative aims to empower millions of Filipinos, many of whom are unbanked, by enabling them to own investment products in tokenized form [3] Market Infrastructure - The Philippines has a unique advantage with mainstream adoption of blockchain wallets, which facilitates the delivery of tokenized assets [4] - Current crypto ownership stands at 14%, significantly higher than stocks at 2.4%, bonds at less than 1%, and mutual funds [4] - Major wallets like GCash, PDAX, Maya, and Coins.ph provide embedded blockchain features for easy access to cryptocurrencies and tokenized investments [4] Accessibility and Adoption - Tokenized bonds via PDAX and GCash have reduced barriers to entry, allowing access from just 500 pesos ($8.50), thus democratizing the government bond market [5] - Nearly half of all government bond account holders now own them in tokenized form, indicating strong potential for mass adoption [5] - The partnership between the Bureau of the Treasury, PDAX, and GCash is successfully distributing tokenized government bonds nationwide, attracting retail investors [6]

Core Insights - Thunes and MoMo PSB have partnered to enable instant international remittances for Nigerian users, allowing them to receive funds from major markets including Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Israel [1][2] Group 1: Partnership Overview - The partnership facilitates MoMo users in Nigeria to access global funds instantly for various transactions such as purchasing airtime, paying bills, and engaging in digital commerce [2][4] - MoMo PSB operates as a fintech platform and is a member of Thunes Direct Global Network, offering a wide range of digital financial services [2][3] Group 2: Financial Inclusion and Market Access - The collaboration aims to enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria by providing users with seamless access to international money flows, thereby integrating them into the global economy [4][6] - Thunes' Direct Global Network enables real-time cross-border money transfers by connecting with neobanks, local wallets, and financial institutions [3][4] Group 3: Executive Insights - Thunes' Chief Network Officer emphasized the importance of this alliance in allowing Nigerians to manage their finances conveniently and securely [4] - MoMo PSB's CEO highlighted the commitment to financial inclusion through the delivery of global remittances directly to users [5][6]