Stablecoin payments startup Coinflow has raised $25 million in a Series A round led by Pantera Capital, as it moves to scale its global payout network and challenge legacy cross-border systems. The Chicago, Illinois-based firm has grown revenue 23-fold since 2024 and now supports stablecoin-powered payments in over 170 countries, it said in an announcement on Thursday. Other backers in the round include Coinbase Ventures, CMT Digital, Jump Capital and The Fintech Fund. Accepting stablecoin payments coul ...

Core Insights - The partnership between OTCX and BlackRock's Aladdin represents a significant advancement in the digital transformation of OTC derivatives trading, aiming to enhance automation and transparency throughout the trade lifecycle [3][5]. Group 1: Partnership Overview - OTCX has entered a multi-year partnership with Aladdin, BlackRock's technology platform, to digitize dealer-to-client "voice" trading, moving away from manual workflows to more efficient electronic solutions [1][2]. - The integration will provide buy-side and sell-side participants with streamlined tools for price discovery, order execution, and post-trade management, reducing reliance on traditional communication methods [2][4]. Group 2: Workflow Modernization - The integration will offer Aladdin clients comprehensive end-to-end workflow support, covering price discovery, request-for-market, execution, and post-trade processing, thereby improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for institutions [4][6]. - OTCX aims to provide market participants with more choices, lower costs, and efficient workflows in a historically complex and fragmented market [5]. Group 3: Operational Efficiency - By connecting to Aladdin, OTCX enables institutional traders to compare quotes, manage risk, and execute trades in a regulated environment, enhancing visibility into pricing and liquidity [6][8]. - The initiative addresses inefficiencies caused by manual, voice-based interactions, which have historically limited transparency and increased the risk of human error in OTC derivatives trading [7][8].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of sales growth over earnings when evaluating stocks, suggesting that steady sales growth indicates strong demand and a durable business model [2][3][10] - A selection of stocks with robust sales growth and high cash balances is recommended, including StoneCo, Garmin, Assurant, VICI Properties, and Duke Energy, all of which show promising sales growth for 2025 [10][11][12][13][14][15] Sales Growth and Cash Flow - Sales growth is preferred over earnings as it reflects actual demand and provides visibility into a company's business model [3][5] - Constant sales growth leads to predictable cash flows, allowing companies to reinvest, expand, or return capital to shareholders without excessive debt reliance [5] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks are shortlisted based on criteria such as 5-Year Historical Sales Growth greater than industry average and Cash Flow exceeding $500 million [6] - Additional metrics include a Price/Sales (P/S) Ratio lower than the industry average, positive changes in sales estimate revisions, operating margins above 5%, and Return on Equity (ROE) greater than 5% [7][8][9] Recommended Stocks - **StoneCo Ltd. (STNE)**: Expected sales growth of 9.8% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - **Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)**: Anticipated sales growth of 12.3% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [12] - **Assurant Inc. (AIZ)**: Projected sales growth of 5.7% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [13] - **VICI Properties Inc. (VICI)**: Expected sales growth of 4% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [14] - **Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)**: Anticipated sales growth of 4.6% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [15]

The City of Baltimore has sued 12-year-old fintech MoneyLion, accusing it of deceptive and unfair practices related to its cash advances to consumers. https://t.co/4XTuchU65y ...

Core Insights - The launch of the world's first regulated offshore yuan-linked stablecoin, AxCNH, in Kazakhstan represents China's strategic move to reduce dollar dominance in global payments through blockchain technology [1][2][3] Group 1: Stablecoin Launch - Conflux, a state-backed blockchain, launched AxCNH on September 17 in partnership with Hong Kong fintech AnchorX after obtaining a license in Kazakhstan [2] - The stablecoin aims to facilitate cross-border transactions between Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries and offshore Chinese entities [2] Group 2: Strategic Timing - The launch is strategically timed amid the U.S. tariff war and fluctuating policies, which are reshaping global trade and diminishing trust in the U.S. dollar, thus creating opportunities for yuan alternatives [3] - The stablecoin operates on existing blockchain infrastructure, which is already widely adopted in global crypto markets, offering a different value proposition compared to traditional yuan internationalization efforts [3] Group 3: Kazakhstan as a Launchpad - Kazakhstan is a strategic choice for the launch due to its status as China's largest trading partner and its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, making it an ideal testing ground for yuan-denominated payment systems [4] - Conflux has a government mandate to develop a blockchain platform that connects countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative [4] Group 4: Regulatory Environment - The project benefits from regulatory arbitrage, as Hong Kong has a stablecoin regulatory framework but has not issued licenses, while cryptocurrency trading is banned in China since 2021 [5] - By launching in Kazakhstan, the project navigates domestic restrictions while remaining close to Chinese regulatory influence [5]

Core Insights - Kaspi.kz will report its financial results for the quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2025, on November 10, 2025, with a conference call scheduled for 8.00am EST [1][2] Company Overview - Kaspi.kz aims to improve people's lives through innovative mobile products and services, operating a unique two-sided Super App model for consumers and merchants [3] - The Super Apps provide access to leading Payments, Marketplace, and Fintech Platforms, facilitating transactions between consumers and merchants [4] Business Model and Growth - The combination of a large, engaged consumer and merchant base, along with best-in-class digital products and a capex lite approach, results in strong top-line growth and a profitable business model [5] - In January 2025, Kaspi.kz acquired a 66.35% stake in Hepsiburada, a leading e-commerce company in Türkiye, enhancing its market position [5] Academic Recognition - Harvard Business School has developed two case studies on Kaspi.kz, which are used in its MBA curriculum [6] - Kaspi.kz has been listed on Nasdaq since January 2024, indicating its growth and recognition in the financial markets [6]

Group 1 - The 2025 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday saw a significant increase in travel and consumption demand, with total consumption in the first five days growing by 10% compared to the May Day holiday [1][9] - Chongqing ranked first in both payment amount and transaction volume nationwide, indicating strong local and tourism consumption [1][9] - The Greater Bay Area experienced active cross-border consumption, with Hong Kong and Macau remaining the top destinations for mainland tourists, and cross-border payment transactions ranking first in the country [1][3] Group 2 - New first-tier cities and county-level markets are showing significant consumption potential, with 13 new first-tier cities making it into the top 20 for WeChat payment consumption [2][23] - Consumption trends are becoming more regionalized, with different cities showing distinct preferences in leisure activities and food [2][12] - Key industries such as sports and fitness, beauty and hairdressing, and travel are seeing increased activity, with notable growth in electric vehicle charging and ticket purchases via WeChat [2][11] Group 3 - Cross-border consumption in the Greater Bay Area has surged, with Hong Kong residents increasing their spending in mainland China by over 120% during the holiday [3][19] - The number of online ride-hailing orders in Hong Kong from mainland tourists increased by over five times, boosting local dining, retail, and entertainment sectors [3][19] - The report highlights a significant rise in cross-border payment transactions, with a 21% increase overall, and specific growth in transactions to countries like South Korea and Malaysia [4][17] Group 4 - The holiday period saw a 60% increase in daily visits to mini-programs by inbound tourists, indicating a growing interest in digital services for travel [5][19] - WeChat Pay transactions in countries like South Korea and Singapore grew by 46% and 32% respectively, driven by visa-free policies and local merchant support [4][17] - The report emphasizes the role of digital tools like WeChat mini-programs in facilitating cross-border and global consumption [23]

Core Viewpoint - The potential sale of parts of the federal government's $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to private lenders by the Trump administration has led to increased optimism for SoFi Technologies Inc.'s growth prospects in the fintech sector [1][2]. Group 1: Government Actions and Implications - Senior officials from the Treasury Department and the Department of Education are considering transferring "high-performing" student loans to the private sector, which has positively impacted SoFi's stock price [2]. - The Trump administration has been restructuring the Department of Education, with suggestions to shift oversight of student loans to the Small Business Administration, indicating a significant policy shift in student lending [4]. - New legislation signed by President Trump has imposed caps on federal student loans, which could limit students' ability to finance their education solely through federal loans, pushing them towards private lenders like SoFi [5][6]. Group 2: Company Position and Market Opportunity - SoFi, which specializes in student loan refinancing, investing, and banking services, is poised to benefit if the federal government reduces its involvement in student lending [3]. - CEO Anthony Noto expressed confidence that the company would capture opportunities in the market if the government steps back from providing in-school loans, indicating a strategic focus on expanding its services in this area [3][6]. - Following the news, SoFi's stock rose significantly, reflecting investor optimism about the company's potential growth in a changing student lending landscape [7].

Company Overview - Galaxy Digital has launched a new fintech platform and mobile app called Galaxy 1, which aims to provide brokerage services, cash deposit accounts, and commission-free trading to high-net-worth investors [2][4] - The platform is designed to bring institutional quality services to individual investors, leveraging Galaxy's expertise in cryptocurrency financial services and AI data centers [4][5] Product Offerings - Galaxy 1 offers four main products, including a checking account with a 4% yield and a premium yield account with an 8% yield for accredited investors [7][9] - To qualify as an accredited investor, individuals must have a net worth of at least $1 million, excluding their primary residence, or an annual income of $200,000 [6][9] - There are caps on investments, with a maximum of $1 million per investor and a total cap of $250 million for the vehicle, aimed at effective risk management [10] Market Position and Strategy - Galaxy Digital's approach differentiates it from existing platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase by focusing on accredited investors and offering higher yields [6][12] - The company plans to generate revenue through various means, including fully paid stock lending and payment for order flow, while crypto trading on the app will not be commission-free [12][13] Market Outlook - Galaxy Digital's managing director expressed confidence in the potential of Bitcoin as a valuable asset for a diversified portfolio, aligning with the company's broader investment strategy [14]

AI-powered fintech firm Optasia plans to raise $365 million selling shares in South Africa and will use the proceeds to acquire companies https://t.co/yq9XJrHX6t ...