Atom Bank has packed up its Durham base and moved its 600 staff to Newcastle’s restored Pattern Shop, a Grade II-listed landmark that once turned out steam locomotives for Robert Stephenson & Co. The shift puts one of Britain’s original digital banks at the centre of the city’s tech corridor — and back inside a building that helped drive the Industrial Revolution.The Pattern Shop, built in the 1880s behind Newcastle Central Station, has undergone a multi-million-pound restoration led by Newcastle City Counc ...

Key TakeawaysThe U.S. housing market faces scrutiny as the Director of Federal Housing reports that the top three homebuilders are responsible for over $20 billion in Fannie Mae loan purchases, while President Trump urges mortgage giants to stimulate the sector amidst claims of 2 million empty lots.Federal Reserve officials, including Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid, maintain a cautious stance on monetary policy, noting stable labor conditions and expressing confidence in the U.S. Dollar's (USD) en ...

Walmart-backed fintech OnePay plans to roll out cryptocurrency trading and custody features in its app by the end of the year. The service will let users buy, hold, and convert bitcoin and ether within the app, with crypto infrastructure provided by Chicago-based Zerohash, CNBC reports , citing sources familiar with the matter. Though OnePay hasn’t publicly confirmed the rollout, the move would put it in line with competitors like Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal, which already offer crypto trading to U.S. ...

Core Insights - OnePay, a fintech firm majority-owned by Walmart, is expanding its offerings to include cryptocurrency trading and custody services on its mobile app [1][2] - The company aims to become a comprehensive digital finance platform, similar to international super apps like WeChat, by adding various financial services [3] Company Developments - OnePay will enable users to trade bitcoin and ether later this year, collaborating with startup Zerohash for this initiative [2] - The app currently provides a range of services including high-yield savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and buy now, pay later loans [3] - OnePay's mobile app is gaining popularity, ranking No. 5 on Apple's app store for free finance apps, surpassing larger competitors like JPMorgan Chase and Robinhood [6] Industry Context - The mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency is increasing, particularly following a shift in the U.S. government's stance under President Trump [4] - Major financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley, are beginning to offer crypto products, indicating a growing trend in the industry [4][5] - Zerohash recently raised $104 million in funding, highlighting the increasing investment in companies involved in cryptocurrency [5] Market Position - OnePay benefits from its integration with Walmart's checkout process, providing access to 150 million weekly shoppers, while also targeting a broader audience beyond Walmart customers [7]

Irvine, CA, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vemanti Group, Inc. (“Vemanti” or the “Company”) (OTC: VMNT) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining 49% equity interest in XPLOR Technology Pte. Ltd. (“XPLOR”), the Singapore-based parent company of ONUS Pro, a leading cryptocurrency exchange in Southeast Asia. With this agreement executed by all parties, the Company has taken the final step toward full ownership. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary c ...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer triggered fury Today as he revealed plans for UK digital ID, but are major banks planning to take the British pound (GBP) digital too? Britain’s biggest banks have launched live tests of “tokenized” sterling, digital versions of bank deposits designed for faster and more controlled payments. (Source – GBP USD, TradingView) Six lenders, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Nationwide, and Santander, are taking part in the pilot, which is being coordinated b ...

Core Insights - AlloyX Group, a Hong Kong-based fintech company, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Nasdaq-listed Solowin Holdings, aiming to create a new financial ecosystem centered on stablecoins and enhance the integration of traditional finance with digital assets [2][4]. Company Overview - AlloyX specializes in cross-border payments and institutional-grade asset tokenization through stablecoin infrastructure, positioning itself as a leader in the fintech space [2][5]. - The company has garnered recognition from prominent global investment institutions, with participation from top investors such as Fenbushi Capital and Longling Capital in its latest financing round, indicating strong confidence in its growth prospects [3]. Market Context - The global market size of the stablecoin ecosystem has reached hundreds of billions of dollars, highlighting the significant potential for growth in this sector [4]. - AlloyX aims to become the world's leading and Asia's largest stablecoin service provider, reflecting its ambitious growth strategy [5]. Strategic Vision - The merger is expected to leverage the strengths of both AlloyX and Solowin, focusing on compliance and technology-driven approaches to innovate in stablecoin payment infrastructure and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization [4]. - Both companies are committed to building a compliant stablecoin-powered financial super platform, with all shareholders agreeing to a 12-month lock-up period to demonstrate their confidence in the long-term vision [4].

Financial Data and Key Indicators Changes - The operating income for the first half of 2025 was CNY 1,000 billion, an increase of 2.95% compared to the previous year [4] - Net fee and commission income reached CNY 65.2 billion, up by 4% [82] - Net profit provisions increased to CNY 239.4 billion, reflecting a growth of 3.37% [5] - The gross loans to customers amounted to CNY 40 trillion, a rise of 6.2% [6] - The net interest margin (NIM) stood at 1.4%, with a return on assets (ROA) of 0.77% and return on equity (ROE) of 10.08% [6] - The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was reported at 19.51% [6] Business Line Data and Key Indicators Changes - Loans to technology-related industries reached CNY 5 trillion, increasing by 16% [11] - The balance of inclusive loans to SMEs was CNY 3.74 trillion, up by 9.8% [14] - Personal consumption loans rose to CNY 614.2 billion, marking an increase of CNY 86 billion from the end of the previous year [17] - The balance of green finance reached CNY 5.72 trillion, an increase of 14.88% [12] Market Data and Key Indicators Changes - The loans to private enterprises totaled CNY 6.59 trillion, up by 9.92% [16] - The cross-border RMB settlement reached CNY 3 trillion, reflecting a growth of 23% [18] - The total asset of institutions in the RCEP region exceeded CNY 200 billion [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on five priorities, including enhancing comprehensive financial services and supporting key infrastructure projects [24] - There is a commitment to high-quality development and optimizing operational strategies, particularly in asset and liability management [25] - The company plans to strengthen customer engagement and product portfolio to enhance market competitiveness [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the stable economic progress and sound macroeconomic measures in the first half of 2025 [70] - The company will continue to monitor credit policies and enhance risk control capabilities to maintain stable asset quality [71] - The outlook for the second half of 2025 includes a focus on supporting the real economy and optimizing credit policies [71] Other Important Information - The company has maintained a leading position in the industry with a cost-to-income ratio of 23.72%, outperforming peers [9] - The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was reported at 1.33%, down by one basis point from the previous year [21] - The provision coverage ratio increased by 5.8% to 239.4% [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind the improvement in revenue and the outlook for profits this year? - Management noted marginal improvements in all business and profit indicators, with operational income and profit before provision showing positive growth [28] - Measures taken include improved capability to balance volume and price, fostering new drivers for noninterest income, and enhancing cost management [29][32] Question: Can you discuss the NIM outlook given recent rate cuts? - The NIM was reported at 1.4%, with a narrowing decline compared to previous quarters, but still leading in the industry [35] - Management indicated that while there may be further pressure on NIM due to rate cuts, proactive management will help maintain industry-leading levels [40] Question: What are the key areas for loan issuance and infrastructure loans? - The company executed guidelines to support the real economy, with corporate loans increasing significantly [42] - Infrastructure loans remain a pillar for the company, with expectations for better results in the second half due to national projects [46] Question: How does the company plan to manage bond investments amid market fluctuations? - The company has increased its bond investment to CNY 11 trillion, focusing on national, local, and corporate bonds [52] - A proactive strategy is in place to optimize bond investment structure and maintain a leading position in the market [56] Question: What measures are being taken to increase deposits in a low-interest environment? - The company reported a deposit increase of CNY 760 billion, with a focus on expanding the customer base and innovative products [60] - Strategies include leveraging technology for customer engagement and adapting to market dynamics [64] Question: What is the outlook for asset quality in the second half? - The NPL ratio was stable at 1.33%, with management committed to enhancing risk control capabilities [68] - The company plans to implement measures to mitigate risks and maintain stable asset quality indicators [71] Question: What progress has been made in fintech and digital economy initiatives? - The company has strengthened its digital ecosystem and improved customer experience through enhanced mobile services [76] - Significant progress has been made in AI technology, improving operational efficiency and customer service capabilities [74]

Core Insights - GivBux, Inc. has finalized an agreement to acquire Charter House Financial AU, aiming to enhance its Super App and charitable giving platform [1][2][3] - The acquisition is expected to generate up to $200 million in revenue during its first full year of operations, leveraging Charter House's expertise in gold markets [3] - GivBux is shifting its strategic focus to integrate tangible assets with digital finance, particularly through gold-backed offerings [3][5] Company Developments - The acquisition of Charter House will allow GivBux to operate it as a wholly owned subsidiary, broadening access to gold-backed financial benefits [2][3] - GivBux has decided not to proceed with a previously announced strategic investment and a $39 million acquisition of VitorganAmerica.shop, reflecting a commitment to focus on high-value initiatives [4] - The GivBux Super App is designed to facilitate shopping and charitable giving, with features that include cash back on purchases and a user-friendly interface [6][7] Market Positioning - GivBux aims to build a community of givers, starting in the United States and expanding globally, positioning itself as a leader in ecommerce and charitable giving [7] - The company continues to see steady user growth and merchant adoption throughout 2025, indicating a positive trajectory in the fintech and digital commerce space [5]

Core Insights - MercadoLibre has emerged as a leading e-commerce and fintech player in Latin America, showcasing significant growth and a strong international profile [1][2][4][14] - The company's stock has surged 53% year-to-date in 2025, driven by robust earnings and increasing investor confidence [2][11] Company Overview - MercadoLibre operates a comprehensive digital ecosystem that addresses logistics, financial services, and digital commerce gaps in Latin America [4][5] - The company has established a strong presence in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, benefiting from rising internet penetration and underdeveloped financial infrastructure [6] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, MercadoLibre reported earnings per share of $9.74, exceeding estimates by nearly 18%, with revenue of $5.93 billion, a 37% year-over-year increase [8][10] - Gross merchandise volume rose 17% to $13.3 billion, while total payment volume increased by 43% to $58.3 billion, reflecting strong demand for e-commerce and fintech services [9][10] - The fintech division's revenue climbed 43%, with credit card transaction volume surging 166%, indicating increased engagement with its financial ecosystem [10] Market Position and Valuation - MercadoLibre's stock currently has a P/E ratio of 66.52, with a forward P/E of 38, suggesting a premium valuation despite strong growth [2][13] - The company recently ranked No. 50 on Kantar's 2025 list of the most valuable global brands, highlighting its rising brand value [2] Investment Considerations - Analysts maintain a consensus Moderate Buy rating for MercadoLibre, indicating positive sentiment towards the stock [11] - A potential pullback in stock price could present a favorable entry point for new investors, particularly if it retraces to the $2,400 level [12][13]