Core Insights - Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) shares have surged 76% over the past six months, outperforming the broader market and peers, with the industry advancing 32.2% and the S&P 500 gaining 23.1% [1][2] - The strong performance is attributed to positive financials, strategic partnerships, optimistic guidance, and innovation enhancing recurring revenue streams [2] Financial Performance - Analysts project Affirm's fiscal 2026 earnings at 84 cents per share, a significant increase from 15 cents a year ago, with fiscal 2027 earnings expected to rise another 72% year over year [4] - Revenue growth rates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 are anticipated at 23.8% and 22.5%, respectively [4] - Gross merchandise volume is expected to reach $46 billion in fiscal 2026, up from $36.7 billion the previous year, with adjusted operating margin projected to expand to 26.1% from 24.1% in fiscal 2025 [5] Expansion Strategy - Affirm is expanding internationally, with plans to enter Western Europe, starting with France, Germany, and the Netherlands, leveraging partnerships, including a strategic tie-up with Shopify [6][9] - The company is also targeting new verticals, such as gaming, through a collaboration with Xsolla, and expanding its product suite to include debit-based solutions and B2B payment tools [10] Customer Engagement - A notable 95% of transactions in the fiscal fourth quarter came from returning users, indicating strong customer loyalty and predictable recurring revenue [13] - Demand for 0% APR installment plans has increased by 93% year over year, representing 14% of total GMV, with total transactions rising 45.6% year over year to 31.3 million [14] Competitive Positioning - Affirm's valuation reflects its growth profile, trading at 5.62X forward 12-month sales, slightly above the industry average of 5.46X and significantly higher than its three-year median of 3.85X [12] - The company continues to enhance its value proposition by offering transparent payment terms, which reduces cart abandonment rates for merchants [15] Strategic Partnerships - Extended partnerships with Apple Pay and Google are expected to boost in-store BNPL adoption and reshape Affirm's digital footprint, enhancing its visibility and growth potential [11]

Core Viewpoint - U.K. fintech Revolut is facing delays in obtaining a full banking license due to concerns from the Bank of England regarding its risk management capabilities amid rapid international expansion [1][2]. Group 1: Banking License Status - Revolut's full banking license application is on hold as the Bank of England requires the company to enhance its risk management systems before approval [2]. - The company received initial approval for a banking license over a year ago but is still in the "mobilization" stage, which typically lasts 12 months and includes deposit restrictions [3]. - A full banking license would enable Revolut to lend in the U.K. and hold over £50,000 in customer deposits, with the company currently serving 12 million customers in the U.K. [4]. Group 2: International Expansion - Revolut has over 65 million customers globally and is aggressively expanding beyond the U.K., having already secured a banking license in the European Union and operating in multiple countries including Australia, Japan, and the U.S. [5]. - The company has launched operations in India and plans to enter Colombia in 2026, with ambitions to expand into Argentina, Mexico, and Africa [5]. - Revolut aims to reach 100 million customers by mid-2027 and enter over 30 new markets by 2030 [6]. Group 3: Financial Performance - In its last annual report, Revolut reported a net profit of $1 billion (£790 million) for 2024, with revenues increasing by 72% to $4 billion (£3.1 billion) [7]. - The company launched a crypto exchange, Revolut X, which saw revenue rise by 298% to $647 million in 2024 from $158 million in 2023 [7].

Core Insights - The acquisition of NYIAX Inc. by Datavault AI Inc. aims to position Datavault as a leader in privacy-first data monetization and ultrasonic advertising, with plans to launch a key data exchange in the near future [1][4] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Datavault AI has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire NYIAX, a technology and services company operating in the US, Europe, and Dubai [1] - The transaction is subject to Nasdaq approval and will be completed after signing a final agreement with customary closing conditions [1] - NYIAX's blockchain-driven exchange, patent portfolio, marketing-as-a-service agency, and advertising business will be integrated into Datavault AI [1] Group 2: Strategic Integration - The acquisition builds on a prior patent licensing agreement between Datavault AI and NYIAX regarding the ADIO ultrasonic technology [2] - NYIAX will fully integrate into Datavault AI's ecosystem, enhancing the Information Data Exchange (IDE) technology by adding transparent and automated trading functionalities [2] - Upcoming platforms include the International Elements Exchange (IEE), the International Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Exchange, and the American Political Exchange (APE), expected to launch in the next two quarters [2] Group 3: Technological Advancements - NYIAX offers a proprietary trading platform built on shared intellectual property with Nasdaq, combining rigorous financial market infrastructure with modern industry demands [3] - The integration of Datavault AI's ADIO technology will enable ultrasonic advertising, embedding imperceptible data in audio streams while ensuring privacy [4] - The combined capabilities will create a seamless marketplace for trading ultrasonic advertising inventory alongside traditional media contracts, supported by AI-driven tools for real-time valuation and liquidity [4] Group 4: Leadership Perspectives - Datavault AI's CEO Nathaniel Bradley views the acquisition as a transformative milestone, aiming to redefine data monetization and lead the development of Web 3.0 solutions across various sectors [4] - NYIAX's CEO Teri Gallo emphasizes the collaboration as a new era for NYIAX, focusing on reshaping market operations with privacy-first technology [5] Group 5: Future Outlook - The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals [5] - The merger will allow the combined entity to capitalize on the growing demand for a secure, AI-enabled data ecosystem [5]

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2025 Registration No. 333-290133 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Amendment No. 1 to FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 DEFI DEVELOPMENT CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 7389 83-2676794 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification ...

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings has announced that it will not charge interest on certain long-term loans taken out between October 22 and October 24, aiming to attract customers during the holiday shopping season [1][3]. Group 1: Company Strategy - Affirm is shifting its focus towards longer-term loans, with approximately 71% of its transactions currently bearing interest, while 14% are 0% APR long-term monthly loans [3][6]. - The company has partnered with major online retailers, such as Amazon, since 2021, which has influenced its move towards interest-bearing loans [3]. Group 2: Market Competition - Affirm competes not only with other buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies like Klarna and Afterpay but also with rewards credit cards targeting high-income customers [4][5]. - The interest-free promotion is seen as a strategy to highlight the advantages of BNPL over credit cards that offer cash back [5]. Group 3: Customer Insights - The promotion is available to eligible customers shopping at select retailers using the Affirm app and card, indicating a targeted approach to customer engagement [6]. - Affirm's CFO noted that monthly installment loans that accrue interest are the company's most significant and profitable product [7].

Group 1 - The theme of the Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit focuses on "Leading in a Dynamic World," highlighting concerns about global uncertainty affecting donor behavior amid rising needs [1] - IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasized the agility and adaptability of the private sector in navigating global trade challenges, likening it to water that flows around obstacles [2] - Ramp CEO Eric Glyman discussed how the fintech company achieved over $1 billion in annualized revenue by fostering a culture of urgency and encouraging companies to spend less [3] Group 2 - SAIC chief Toni Townes-Whitley stressed the importance of keeping pace with U.S. adversaries that operate in multiple modes and leverage their entire industrial base [2] - Bestselling author Brené Brown highlighted the necessity of developing new skills and reimagining leadership for the current era, emphasizing the importance of core values in uncertain times [2] - The summit features a diverse lineup of influential leaders from various industries, including CEOs from Best Buy, GSK, and JPMorgan Chase, indicating a strong focus on collaboration and shared insights [3]

Shares of the fintech are down nearly 20% this year and a rebound may not be in sight for a while. ...

Market Overview - U.S. equities experienced a significant rebound on October 13, 2025, recovering from substantial losses due to improved investor sentiment following President Trump's softened trade rhetoric towards China [1][3] - Major U.S. stock indexes, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, all posted robust gains in afternoon trading, with the S&P 500 up 1.6%, Nasdaq up 2.1%, and Dow up 1.3% [2] Sector Performance - The technology sector led the market recovery, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) showing significant gains, while other sectors such as Materials (XLB), Energy (XLE), Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Communication Services (XLC), Financial (XLF), and Industrial (XLI) also registered advances [4] - The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) was the only sector in negative territory, down approximately 0.22%, as investors shifted towards more cyclical sectors [5] Upcoming Market Events - The U.S. earnings season is set to begin, with major banks like JPMorgan Chase scheduled to report quarterly results, alongside other notable companies such as Johnson & Johnson and United Airlines [6] - The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is delaying the release of key economic data, including inflation figures and retail sales data, which could introduce uncertainty for the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions [7] Corporate Developments - Broadcom shares surged approximately 10% following a collaboration announcement with OpenAI to design custom AI accelerators, highlighting strong investor interest in the AI sector [12] - Other chipmakers, including Advanced Micro Devices and Micron Technology, also saw gains of 3.4% and 4.9% respectively, while Nvidia gained close to 3% [12] - Fastenal shares fell between 4.8% and 6.4% after reporting third-quarter profits that narrowly missed analysts' expectations [12] - HCL Technologies is set to announce its Q2 FY26 results, with investors focused on management's commentary regarding deal pipelines and demand outlook [12] - Avenue Supermarts reported a steady Q2 FY26 performance, with a nearly 4% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit and a 15.5% rise in revenue [12] - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited announced a strategic partnership with Reliance BP Mobility Ltd to expand its city gas distribution and compressed natural gas network [12]

Summary of Key Points Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs analyst Will Nance downgraded PayPal Holdings, Inc. and Marqeta, Inc. due to downside risks to their 2026 forecasts, with increasing investor caution as the fourth quarter approaches [1][2]. PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) - PYPL shares are under pressure due to tougher year-end comparisons following last year's spending surge, renewed pressure on lower-income consumers, and a rotation from cyclical sectors to large-cap tech [2]. - Nance downgraded PayPal to Sell from Neutral with a price forecast of $70, indicating that management commentary suggests branded checkout growth is unlikely to improve soon [3]. - The analyst forecasts approximately 3% total margin growth in 2026, which is below the ~5% consensus, and anticipates ongoing valuation pressure amid competitive challenges in online commerce [4]. Marqeta, Inc. (MQ) - Marqeta was also downgraded to Sell from Neutral, with concerns over its heavy reliance on Block, which could lead to a 2% reduction in gross profit next year [5]. - The change highlights broader total addressable market (TAM) pressures as fintechs internalize processing and competition from Stripe and slow modernization by banks [6].

Company Overview - LexinFintech Holdings is recognized as one of the leading Chinese fintech companies that provides consumer financial services [1] - The company's platform, "Fenqile," offers installment-based loans, which operate similarly to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) contracts [1]