The Bank of England wants to put a leash on stablecoins. In its recent proposal, it suggested limiting how much individuals and businesses can hold in “systemic” stablecoins; roughly £10,000–£20,000 for individuals, and £10 million for firms.

The stated reason? Financial stability. The BoE fears that, without guardrails, stablecoins could trigger large outflows from traditional banks. That could weaken credit availability and destabilize the system, especially if people rapidly pull money out of deposits and into digital alternatives.

The proposal isn’t final, and the central bank calls it a “transitional” measure. A public consultation is expected later this year.

The pushback has been loud

The crypto industry isn’t buying it.

Coinbase and other industry players argue that this move would leave the UK out of step with the US and EU—neither of which imposes ownership limits on stablecoins. They also argue that enforcement would be a nightmare. Unlike bank accounts, stablecoins are held in wallets that issuers can’t always track. Monitoring balances across wallets would require intrusive systems like digital IDs or constant syncing—expensive, complex, and possibly incompatible with how crypto is designed to function.

Others point out the inconsistency. Why should there be a cap on stablecoins when no such limits exist on cash or bank accounts?

A wider regulatory tension

The proposal also highlights a bigger disconnect. On one hand, the UK government (especially the Treasury) wants to promote digital finance. On the other, the BoE is leaning toward caution and control. These caps would sit at the heart of that tension—between innovation and systemic safety.

Meanwhile, the US is pushing stablecoin legislation focused on issuer regulation and reserve backing. The EU’s MiCA rules also avoid balance caps and instead focus on transparency, risk, and redemption rights. The UK’s more conservative stance may end up isolating it, especially if other jurisdictions are more welcoming to stablecoin-based payments and commerce.

The outcome of the upcoming consultation will tell us which direction the UK chooses. But the message is clear: how a country regulates stablecoins may be just as strategic as how it regulates banks.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

• The BoE’s proposed stablecoin caps could impact startups building in payments, wallets, or digital assets in the UK.
  
  
• Enforcement could add major complexity, especially around wallet tracking, identity verification, or cross-border flows.
  
  
• The caps may clash with pro-innovation signals from the UK Treasury, creating regulatory uncertainty in the near term.
  
  
• Other jurisdictions (like the US and EU) are taking a different approach; potentially giving UK-based firms a reason to look abroad.
  
  
• The regulatory environment is still evolving, with a consultation due later this year. Now is the time to shape the conversation.

If your fintech startup is navigating regulation in the UK or beyond, Your Fintech Story can help you translate uncertainty into opportunity. Get in touch.

Belgium-based regulatory technology firm RiskConcile has acquired London-headquartered Fitz Partners, a specialist provider of fund fees and expense data, in a move to expand its offerings across Europe. The deal marks the first step in RiskConcile’s international “buy-and-build” growth strategy since the company received backing from Main Capital Partners in June 2024. By joining forces, RiskConcile and Fitz Partners plan to create a pan-European platform that combines advanced regulatory reporting tools with proprietary fund data capabilities to better serve asset managers in the fund industry.

Fitz Partners: A leading fund data specialist

Founded in 2013, Fitz Partners has built a reputation as a leading provider of fund fee and expense data for the European asset management sector. The firm’s comprehensive databases and reports offer meticulously calculated, independently verified breakdowns of fund costs, enabling asset managers to conduct precise cost reviews and make informed strategic decisions.

Fitz Partners counts over 65 of the world’s largest asset and fund management companies among its clients, reflecting its strong position in the UK and cross-border fund markets. The company is also expanding its coverage to new regions – it plans to extend its fee data and board reporting services to the local French fund market in the coming months. This growing repository of fee data adds a valuable component to RiskConcile’s technology toolkit, which until now has focused primarily on regulatory reporting and risk calculations.

Synergies driven by regulatory pressures

The acquisition comes at a time of intensifying regulatory pressures and rising transparency expectations in the European funds industry. Asset managers are facing ever-stricter reporting requirements and investor demands, from cost disclosure rules to value-for-money assessments. High-quality, granular fund data has become a critical foundation for both compliance and competitive advantage, as it allows deeper insights and faster responses to evolving regulatory mandates.

By integrating Fitz Partners’ rich fee and expense datasets with RiskConcile’s cloud-based regulatory reporting and risk calculation platform, the combined group aims to deliver an all-in-one solution for asset managers who need efficient and reliable tools to meet these challenges. In practical terms, asset management firms could benefit from a more streamlined process – for example, using Fitz’s fee benchmarks alongside RiskConcile’s analytics to quickly ensure their funds meet new transparency standards or investor disclosure obligations.

The leaders of both companies underscored the strategic fit and benefits for clients. RiskConcile’s Co-Founder and CEO Jan De Spiegeleer noted that Fitz Partners’ proprietary fee database and reporting expertise are a strong addition to RiskConcile’s platform, saying the combined entity is “uniquely positioned to help asset managers and fund management companies navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape with greater efficiency, insight and confidence.”

Hugues Gillibert, Founder and CEO of Fitz Partners, echoed this sentiment, expressing that he is pleased to join forces with RiskConcile in a way that allows Fitz to continue its expansion while maintaining its culture of excellence. He highlighted the immense synergies between the firms and looks forward to providing even greater support and market intelligence to their UK and cross-border clients, with an eye toward continued growth and new local market coverage in the years ahead.

Outlook: Building a pan-European regtech leader

Industry observers note that this deal reflects a broader trend of consolidation in financial technology, where firms are combining data analytics with compliance tools to offer end-to-end solutions. For RiskConcile, which is now a Main Capital Partners portfolio company, the Fitz Partners acquisition is a significant step toward its ambition of becoming a pan-European leader in regulatory technology for the fund sector.

Jorn de Ruijter, Investment Director at Main Capital and Chairman of RiskConcile’s board, said the acquisition “perfectly aligns with our strategy to build market-leading software groups” and that the combination creates a stronger, more comprehensive organization. He also emphasized that it reinforces Main’s ability to execute cross-border deals in strategic markets like the UK.

Looking ahead, the integration of Fitz Partners’ data with RiskConcile’s platform could give clients a one-stop shop for regulatory reporting and cost analytics, potentially simplifying compliance workflows. This move is also likely not the last for RiskConcile – as the first acquisition in a planned series, it signals the start of an expansion drive across Europe. With Main Capital’s backing and a stated “buy-and-build” strategy, RiskConcile may pursue additional acquisitions or partnerships to broaden its software suite and geographic reach. Asset managers can expect a more robust suite of tools from the combined company, and the fund industry at large will be watching to see how this newly enlarged group competes in delivering data-driven insights and regulatory technology amid an increasingly complex oversight environment.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here’s what fintech founders can learn from this move:

• Specializing in a narrow, high-value domain like fund fees and expenses can create defensible differentiation and attract major clients.
  
  
• Strategic acquisitions work best when the companies are complementary; in this case, data meets delivery platform.
  
  
• International presence adds acquisition value. Fitz’s UK and cross-border exposure made it a strong fit for a pan-European expansion strategy.
  
  
• Proprietary, clean data is becoming a key differentiator in regtech. It enables insight, not just automation.
  
  
• The right capital partner doesn’t just provide funding; it enables faster growth, stronger positioning, and more ambitious moves.

Need help growing your fintech or positioning for expansion?

We help startups grow from strategy to execution. Let’s talk.

Startup founders across Europe are still running into the same financial roadblocks: slow account approvals, fragmented tools, and hours lost to manual admin. Dublin-based fintech Seapoint has raised a $3 million pre-seed round to tackle these problems head-on, launching a platform it calls the “financial home” for startups.

Founders Caught Between Legacy Banks and Neobanks

Seapoint’s founder Sean Mullaney, a former Stripe executive, points to a growing gap in startup financial services. Traditional banks often view young, pre-revenue companies as risky. Neobanks, designed for the masses, offer automated accounts but little support. Founders report waiting months for basic banking access or dealing with robotic support teams.

This forces startups to patch together a messy stack of tools. Mullaney found that most juggle 4–6 providers just to manage money. Founders waste hours on payroll, invoice approvals, and tax prep. Some even forget to pay staff or rely on spreadsheets for visibility. For early-stage teams, this “financial overhead” is costly and distracting.

A Platform Designed for Founders

Seapoint aims to eliminate that burden. Its product combines multi-currency accounts, corporate cards, international payments, and treasury tools in one interface. It connects to founders’ existing banks, accounting platforms, CRMs, and even Gmail to deliver a real-time financial overview.

Routine tasks are automated. Gmail invoices become one-click payments. Payroll runs in bulk. VAT and expense categorisation happen in the background. What used to take hours is handled in minutes.

Crucially, Seapoint offers real human support. Each customer gets a dedicated relationship manager who understands startup structures, venture capital, and scaling. Not a chatbot – a person who knows your business.

Backed by Leading Fintech Angels

The $3 million round was led by Frontline Ventures, with participation from Tapestry VC, Andrena Ventures, Angel Invest, Nomad Capital, and fintech angels like Claire Hughes Johnson (ex-Stripe), Laurence Krieger (ex-Revolut, Tide), and Colm Long (ex-Tines).

The team includes engineers and operators from Stripe and Tide, many of whom have been founders themselves. Seapoint is currently in private beta with early-stage companies in the UK and Europe. A public launch is expected later this year.

Longer term, the company plans to expand into serving mid-sized tech firms that have outgrown neobanks but still find traditional banking rigid and inefficient.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here’s what other founders can learn from Seapoint’s approach:

• Start with a sharp use case: Seapoint focuses tightly on venture-backed startups, avoiding the bloat of one-size-fits-all banking.
  
  
• Integrate before you replace: Instead of requiring startups to abandon tools, Seapoint integrates with Gmail, CRMs, and accounting platforms.
  
  
• Automate the boring stuff, not the relationship: The product handles repetitive tasks but still offers high-touch support.
  
  
• Founders are users, not buyers: Targeting them means building for usability, not just compliance.
  
  
• Fixing infrastructure is back in vogue: Fintechs solving operational pain points are seeing renewed investor interest.

If your fintech startup is tackling a real pain point and wants help shaping the story, Your Fintech Story is here to support you. Let’s talk.

Anthropic’s latest update to its AI assistant, Claude, allows users to generate and edit Excel files, Word documents, PowerPoint decks, and PDFs directly from chat. Instead of simply responding with answers, Claude can now produce actual outputs: structured spreadsheets, formatted reports, and polished presentations in minutes.

This might not sound radical at first glance. But for anyone building, managing, or streamlining fintech operations, it signals a subtle but important shift in how AI tools could reshape core workflows.

Claude Moves From Chat to Creation

Until now, Claude (like most general-purpose AIs) mostly generated text-based responses or in-chat summaries. With this update, Claude steps into file creation — producing multi-sheet Excel models with formulas, turning PDFs into slide decks, or organizing notes into formatted documents.

The update is currently in preview for Max, Team, and Enterprise users. Pro users are expected to get access soon.

Under the hood, Claude runs in a sandboxed compute environment where it can write and execute code — which enables it to transform requests into usable, downloadable files. Think financial forecasts, compliance trackers, budget dashboards — all created through simple instructions.

What This Could Mean in a Fintech Context

Fintech teams already rely on specialized tools to handle many of the tasks Claude now promises to simplify:

• FP&A teams might use Pigment, Anaplan, or Causal to build collaborative financial models.
  
  
• Compliance officers often turn to platforms like ComplyAdvantage or Fenergo to manage AML, KYC, and reporting workflows.
  
  
• Wealth managers lean on Addepar for generating client-ready investment reports.
  
  
• Finance operations teams automate Excel workflows with tools like DataRails or Alteryx.
  
  

Claude doesn’t replace these — at least not today. But it does point toward convergence: instead of using ten different tools for spreadsheet generation, forecasting, and document formatting, some teams might start using a single AI assistant to handle “good enough” versions of those tasks.

Who Gets to Do the Work

The obvious appeal here is speed. Instead of spending hours cleaning data or building a presentation from scratch, teams can delegate the groundwork to Claude.

But there’s something else brewing beneath the surface: accessibility. Someone who isn’t an analyst can now request a revenue model. A founder without a finance hire can generate a forecast. That’s not a replacement for expertise — but it could compress the early-stage startup toolchain.

This also raises questions for fintech vendors: if foundational AIs like Claude start doing 80% of what narrow tools offer, how do standalone products stay competitive? More importantly — should they double down on domain depth, or partner with these AI layers instead?

Caution Still Required

Anthropic has flagged the obvious: giving an AI coding and file-access powers comes with risk. The feature gives Claude a limited form of internet access to fetch tools or packages, which means teams handling sensitive financial data will need to test carefully and keep it sandboxed. For fintechs working in regulated environments, this isn’t a plug-and-play solution just yet.

Still, the direction is clear: tools that generate and format files from context-rich conversation are becoming more capable. And for fintech, that could lower the barrier to experimentation — or raise the pressure on specialized vendors.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here’s what this means for fintech operators and founders:

• Fintech workflows could evolve into more fluid, AI-assisted systems that span departments and functions.
  
  
• The lesson isn’t to drop best-in-class tools, but to ask: what’s the minimum stack that gets the job done well?
  
  
• Strategy may shift from “which tool?” to “which interface enables the best execution for this task?”
  

Want help future-proofing your fintech startup? Contact Your Fintech Story. We help founders adapt, grow, and stand out in a rapidly evolving market.

Global fintech company Revolut (with over 60 million customers) has introduced a “Pay by Bank” option in its online payment gateway as of 10 September 2025 . This new feature allows businesses to accept payments directly from a customer’s bank account via open banking, instead of through card networks. The addition is designed to give merchants and shoppers an easier, more secure way to transact, reflecting a broader industry shift toward account-to-account payments.

Open Banking Payments on the Rise

Revolut’s adoption of Pay by Bank comes amid surging popularity of open banking payments, especially in the UK. Over the past year, monthly Pay by Bank transactions in the UK climbed from 15 million to 27 million, and roughly 14 million people now use this method each month . In other words, nearly a quarter of UK residents are making bank-to-bank payments regularly, marking a mainstream alternative to card payments . This trend isn’t confined to Britain – analysts project global open banking users will exceed 600 million by 2029, up from around 180 million in 2025 . The rapid growth underscores how consumers worldwide are embracing new fintech solutions that connect directly to their bank accounts for payments.

What is “Pay by Bank”? Also known as open banking payments or account-to-account (A2A) payments, Pay by Bank enables customers to pay merchants straight from their bank account via their banking app, without entering card details. It leverages secure APIs that banks provide, letting a third-party (like Revolut’s gateway) initiate a payment on the customer’s behalf once the customer authorizes it through their bank. In practice, a mobile shopper is handed off to their bank’s app to approve the transaction (often using biometrics or a PIN), and then returned to the merchant site. Desktop users can scan a QR code to authorize the payment on their phone. Funds move instantly from the buyer’s account to the seller, enabled by faster payment rails. This technology has been championed by fintech providers and regulators in recent years as a way to increase competition and reduce reliance on card monopolies.

Benefits for Merchants and Customers

By integrating Pay by Bank, Revolut is giving businesses and shoppers a number of tangible benefits:

• Enhanced security & fewer fraud losses: Payments require the customer’s bank to authenticate each transaction, which drastically reduces fraud and chargeback risks . Every Pay by Bank transaction is confirmed through the user’s own banking login, meeting strong customer authentication standards. This level of verification means merchants are far less likely to face unauthorized purchases or disputed charges. Industry analyses back this up: account-to-account payments can significantly cut fraud and charge-backs, since every transaction is approved via secure bank credentials .
  
  
• Real-time settlement & no intermediaries: Funds are transferred in real time directly between accounts, improving cash flow for merchants . Businesses receive money immediately instead of waiting days for card settlements. With no card networks in between, merchants also avoid certain fees – interchange fees charged by card issuers are eliminated when payments go bank-to-bank . Fewer middlemen can mean lower overall transaction costs for the business.
  
  
• Faster, frictionless checkout for users: For customers, Pay by Bank offers a convenient, streamlined checkout. There’s no need to manually type out long card numbers, expiry dates, or CVV codes. A mobile user can simply tap their banking app to approve a purchase, and a desktop user can scan a QR code – a process taking only seconds . This frictionless flow not only saves time but also may lead to higher conversion rates for merchants (fewer customers abandoning their cart), since the payment step is quick and trusted. In an era where shoppers value speed and simplicity, skipping the data entry makes for a smoother experience.
  
  
• Reduced chargebacks & disputes: Because each transaction is authorized by the customer’s bank, chargebacks are largely avoided. Traditional card payments allow buyers to dispute charges and sometimes get refunds via chargebacks, which can be costly for merchants and often stem from fraud. With Pay by Bank, unauthorized transactions are far less likely in the first place, and any necessary refunds can be handled directly by merchant support rather than through card network chargeback processes. This means less operational overhead and uncertainty for businesses, as disputes are minimized at the source .

Overall, the feature brings a win-win: businesses get a secure, instant payment method with lower fees and risks, while customers get a fast, one-step checkout experience. It’s a natural evolution as digital payments mature beyond cards.

Not Replacing Cards, But Expanding Options

Importantly, Revolut’s Pay by Bank addition is about offering more choice to consumers and merchants, rather than rendering card payments obsolete. Card payments still dominate many markets and carry benefits like global acceptance and rewards, so open banking payments will co-exist alongside cards. Even Revolut positions the new feature as expanding the toolkit for businesses to meet customer preferences .

This aligns with a broader industry view: “Pay by Bank isn’t about creating a world without cards, it’s about creating a world with more choice,” as one open banking executive explained . In other words, adding bank-to-bank payments makes checkouts more resilient. If one payment method has an outage or issue, another is available as backup . Recent data shows that nearly 7 in 10 e-commerce brands have encountered card payment outages in the past year . Having alternative options like Pay by Bank can safeguard sales during such disruptions.

For now, Pay by Bank serves as a complementary alternative – a “next generation” option for those who prefer using their bank app or who might not have credit cards. It gives fintech platforms like Revolut a way to cater to changing user habits without forcing a single payment method. Traditional cards aren’t disappearing any time soon, but the rise of open banking payments is expanding the payments landscape to be more diverse and customer-driven.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here’s what founders and product teams should take from this:

• Adopt before you’re forced to – by the time a method is “mainstream,” your customers already expect it

• Track usage trends, not just hype – Revolut added Pay by Bank as the data showed real mainstream traction

• Secure, low-friction UX wins – removing checkout pain points boosts both trust and conversion

• Diversify payments early – relying solely on cards is riskier than ever

Want help making your fintech more scalable, secure, and conversion-friendly? Let’s talk. Your Fintech Story helps startups grow with smart strategy and execution.

Most professionals aren’t drowning in strategy. They’re drowning in emails, meetings, and notes that go nowhere. London-based Fyxer AI spotted that, built a product to fix it, and just raised a $30M Series B from investors including Madrona, Lakestar Capital, and Salesforce’s Marc Benioff.

The idea? An AI-powered executive assistant that anyone can use; not just the C-suite.

But what’s really interesting is how they got here. For fintech founders, especially those thinking about product-market fit, scalable growth, and expansion outside tech bubbles: Fyxer is worth studying.

Here’s the blueprint.

Focus on the 95%, not the 5%

Fyxer didn’t build for tech bros with productivity hacks. They built for the other 95% of professionals; the ones juggling overflowing inboxes, endless meetings, and no assistant in sight.

That meant:

• Automating repetitive admin like email triage, scheduling, and meeting summaries
  
  
• Plugging into existing tools like Gmail, Outlook, Zoom
  
  
• No onboarding or workflow changes required

Fintech founders often design for insiders. But growth comes from products that feel native to non-experts. Usability isn’t a feature but a survival.

Target real pain (even if it’s boring)

According to Fyxer’s survey of 1,000 U.S. workers:

• 59% feel overwhelmed by admin tasks
  
  
• 51% spend more than a quarter of their day on them
  
  
• 72% want AI tools to help them focus on more meaningful work

The problem was everywhere but under-addressed. Instead of chasing hype, Fyxer solved a core friction point that others ignored because it wasn’t exciting.

In fintech, this often means fixing broken processes in compliance, onboarding, billing, reconciliation. It’s not sexy, but it’s where the money is.

Leverage domain knowledge and proprietary data

Before launching the AI product, the Fyxer team ran the UK’s largest virtual executive assistant agency. That gave them:

• Deep operational understanding of the problem
  
  
• A proprietary dataset of 500,000+ hours of assistant workflows

That dataset became the foundation for Fyxer’s memory engine and natural language automation.

For fintechs, this is a reminder: domain expertise isn’t just useful — it’s an edge. Use the data you already have. Build from what you know best.

Nail the fundamentals before scaling

Fyxer’s growth has been fast — but grounded:

• From €1M to €17M ARR in 7 months
  
  
• 180,000+ users
  
  
• 15M+ draft emails, 500k+ meeting notes
  
  
• 90% user retention after 3 months

And they proved it worked in real businesses. eXp Realty expanded from a 40-user pilot to 2,000 users in just eight weeks. Knight Frank did a full internal rollout in the same timeframe.

This is what investors like Madrona and Lakestar bought into. Not just vision — usage, retention, and proof.

Use funding to scale what already works

With their Series B, Fyxer plans to:

• Expand in the U.S.
  
  
• Double team size in 3–6 months, focused on local hires
  
  
• Invest in deeper AI capabilities like contextual chat and proactive suggestions

Notably, they’re not launching a new product line or chasing enterprise. They’re doubling down on what their users already love.

Fintech startups should take note: if it works, scale it. Don’t pivot just because you raised money.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here’s what Fyxer AI’s story shows:

• The most scalable products solve boring but painful problems
  
  
• Accessibility beats complexity, especially for non-technical users
  
  
• Industry experience and proprietary data are underrated weapons
  
  
• Growth is nothing without retention; prove you’re building something sticky
  
  
• Partners and pilots help validate early and scale fast
  
  
• Fundraising should follow traction, not precede it

Fyxer didn’t reinvent productivity. They just fixed what everyone hated — and did it well. That’s a lesson fintech founders would do well to remember.

Your Fintech Story helps founders turn insight into momentum. If you’re solving a real problem and want help scaling it, let’s talk.

Revolut’s recent success in securing in-principle approval for key payment licenses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a masterclass in fintech expansion. The London-based fintech, known for its global financial super-app serving over 60 million customers, has received initial approval from the Central Bank of the UAE for Stored Value Facilities and Retail Payment Services (Category II) licenses. This green light paves the way for Revolut to launch a comprehensive suite of products for retail customers in the UAE. More than just a corporate milestone, this development provides valuable insights for fintech founders on how to strategically expand into new markets.

Collaborate Closely with Regulators

A standout move in Revolut’s UAE entry is its proactive engagement with the country’s regulators. By working in close partnership with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), Revolut ensured it met local requirements and gained trust. The UAE’s forward-thinking regulatory environment made it an attractive market, but Revolut still had to demonstrate its commitment to local rules and standards.

The lesson: treat regulators as key stakeholders. Early, respectful dialogue with regulators can speed up market entry and build credibility. Compliance isn’t a checkbox – it’s part of your strategy.

Choose Markets with Demand and Momentum

The UAE fits the profile of a high-potential fintech market. It offers a dynamic economy, high digital adoption rates, and a strong appetite for innovation. Revolut called it a “pivotal growth market” for a reason.

Founders should prioritize markets with demand, digital readiness, and regulatory openness. The UAE has a tech-savvy population and consumers looking for better financial tools. If a market has unmet needs and is open to innovation, it’s likely worth targeting.

Build with Local Insight

To lead its Gulf expansion, Revolut appointed Ambareen Musa as CEO of the GCC. Musa is a fintech veteran who founded Souqalmal.com and launched a financial literacy app in the region. Her focus on financial education and consumer empowerment is central to Revolut’s UAE strategy.

The move reinforces a clear principle: local leadership accelerates local relevance. Musa understands the market, the culture, and the gaps in the existing financial system. Her appointment signals Revolut’s intent to solve local problems – not just export a global template.

Stay Flexible in How You Hire

Revolut plans to ramp up hiring in the UAE. As a remote-first company, it can recruit talent across the region without physical limitations. This gives it access to a diverse, highly skilled talent pool and allows it to scale quickly.

Founders should consider hybrid or remote hiring models when expanding. They let you tap into a broader talent base and build regional understanding without the costs of relocation. Hiring should move in sync with expansion milestones.

Think Global, Deliver Local

Revolut operates in over 30 countries and wants to be one of the top three financial apps in every market it enters. It aims to deliver localized solutions while staying true to its core mission of empowering users to take control of their finances.

The lesson here: don’t copy-paste your product into new markets. Adapt to local norms, integrate with regional systems, and consider local preferences. Global vision works best when it’s implemented with care.

Key Takeaways for Fintech Founders:

• Work with regulators early to gain trust and speed up approvals.
  
  
• Target markets with high digital adoption, real demand, and supportive regulation.
  
  
• Bring in local leadership to navigate culture, pain points, and partnerships.
  
  
• Stay flexible in hiring, especially across regions.
  
  
• Localize your product and user experience without compromising your mission.
  

For fintech founders looking to scale globally, this is a playbook worth studying.

Want help building your fintech growth strategy? Reach out to us, where we help startups grow.

Stripe, the $92 billion payments giant, has officially unveiled Tempo, a payments-focused Layer 1 blockchain developed with crypto venture firm Paradigm. Unlike most blockchains born from trading or DeFi culture, Tempo is designed from the ground up to move money; fast, cheap, and at scale.

Tempo aims to handle tens of thousands of transactions per second, settling stablecoin payments with predictable, low fees. Stripe CEO Patrick Collison has said existing blockchains weren’t optimized for real-world payments, which pushed Stripe to build a new rail from scratch.

From Stealth to Spotlight

Earlier this summer, Tempo surfaced via a job posting describing it as a “high-performance, payments-focused blockchain.” At the time it was still in stealth with a small team. Now, Stripe and Paradigm have confirmed the project publicly, with Matt Huang; Paradigm co-founder and Stripe board member – serving as Tempo’s CEO.

The network is Ethereum-compatible, easing developer adoption and ensuring interoperability. What started as a five-person stealth unit has grown into a dedicated team backed by enterprise partners.

Building on Stripe’s Crypto Playbook

Tempo is the capstone of Stripe’s broader crypto push. The company acquired Bridge in 2024 for $1.1 billion, gaining stablecoin infrastructure, and in 2025 bought Privy, a wallet developer. Together with Stripe’s global merchant base, these moves created the foundation for a full-stack stablecoin ecosystem: wallets, compliance rails, and now, a blockchain optimized for payments.

Regulatory and Market Tailwinds

The launch comes just weeks after the U.S. passed the GENIUS Act, the first federal stablecoin legislation, which provided much-needed regulatory clarity. Stablecoins are now processing trillions in annual volume, even surpassing Visa and Mastercard’s payment flows in 2024. Stripe is betting Tempo will ride this momentum and become the backbone for global stablecoin settlement.

The Competitive Landscape

Stripe isn’t alone. Apple, Google, Airbnb, Meta, and X are all exploring stablecoin integrations. Visa and Mastercard are piloting stablecoin settlement. What sets Stripe apart is that instead of just plugging into existing rails, it’s building its own — and bringing partners like Shopify, Revolut, and OpenAI along for early adoption.

Key Takeaways for Fintech Startups

• Stablecoins are here to stay: $27 trillion+ in yearly volume shows they’ve gone mainstream.
  
  
• Regulation can unlock innovation: Tempo launched right after the GENIUS Act clarified the rules.
  
  
• Lean teams can scale big bets: Tempo started in stealth with only a handful of people.
  
  
• Partnerships are leverage: Stripe enlisted Paradigm, Visa, and major tech players from the start.
  
  
• Solve real payment pain points: Tempo targets cross-border payouts and microtransactions — practical use cases with immediate value.

Want sharper fintech strategy? Reach out to us; we help startups grow.

Brex, the San Francisco-based fintech unicorn known for corporate cards and spend management, has secured a Payment Institution (PI) license in the European Union via the Netherlands. Announced in August 2025, the license authorizes Brex to operate across all EU member states, directly issue corporate credit cards, and execute payment transactions such as SEPA direct debits and credit transfers.

For Brex, this milestone is more than paperwork – it removes the U.S.-only limitation that previously restricted onboarding. Now, the company can serve enterprises originated in Europe, not just subsidiaries tied to U.S. entities. The Netherlands was a strategic choice: a fintech-friendly regulator, an English-speaking hub, and passporting rights that let Brex expand across 30 EU/EEA countries with a single license.

Why it matters

The EU PI license, defined under PSD2, enables a wide range of payment services: issuing instruments, remittances, transfers, and more. Crucially, it gives Brex direct access to European rails like SEPA. Customers will benefit from locally issued cards with higher acceptance rates, euro-denominated payments, and fewer intermediaries. As CEO Pedro Franceschi put it, “No third-party intermediaries, no borrowed licenses, and no workarounds required.”

This license also provides regulatory credibility. Meeting EU standards on governance, capital, and compliance is rigorous. For fintechs, that stamp of approval signals resilience and commitment. It’s also a moat – competitors relying on third parties cannot easily match the same autonomy.

Strategic context

Brex’s global roadmap has been clear from the start. Over seven years, it built infrastructure spanning 200+ countries and 60 currencies. Yet until now, it could only onboard firms with U.S. presence. With 1,500 existing customers already operating in the EU – nearly half of whom are multinational – demand was strong. Ooni, the UK-based pizza oven maker, highlighted Brex’s appeal: “It’s one system employees can use regardless of where they are.”

Financially, Europe represents a massive opportunity. Franceschi has pegged the potential at up to $5 billion annually. Legacy providers like Barclays and AmEx dominate, but their solutions are fragmented. Brex aims to win CFOs with integrated cards, expense management, and treasury tools. It has already established an Amsterdam office, hired local staff, and will roll out services in phases through 2026. A UK license is next on the roadmap.

This expansion also comes as Brex prepares for an IPO and moves toward profitability. By doubling down on compliance-heavy expansion, it differentiates itself from U.S. rivals like Ramp, who focus domestically with partner-driven models. Brex is betting that owning infrastructure and licenses will pay off in product quality and long-term margins.

What it unlocks

• Local card issuance: EU corporate cards with domestic BINs, fewer declines, and no foreign quirks.
  
  
• Direct SEPA access: Brex can originate euro transfers and direct debits itself.
  
  
• Full product suite: Expense management, treasury, and spend controls available to EU-based firms.

By controlling the stack, Brex can iterate faster, avoid revenue-sharing, and build features competitors can’t easily replicate.

Lessons for fintech startups

• One license, many countries. EU passporting provides scale, but requires upfront effort.
  
  
• Licenses as moats. Harder to get, but grant autonomy and differentiation.
  
  
• Local compliance = local product. Real SEPA or local cards only come with local licenses.
  
  
• Plan for UK separately. Brexit means two playbooks.
  
  
• Follow customer pull. Expansion works best when existing clients already need you abroad.
  

Brex’s EU license shows how regulatory fluency, infrastructure, and timing can unlock new growth. For startups, it’s a reminder: scaling across borders is as much about compliance as ambition.

Your Fintech Story helps fintechs grow with consulting, coaching, and market expansion support. Reach out if you want to scale smarter.

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Klarna Group plc, the Stockholm-founded buy now, pay later (BNPL) fintech, has officially kicked off its initial public offering after a prolonged wait. On September 2, 2025, Klarna announced the launch of its IPO, offering about 34.3 million ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “KLAR” . Approximately 5.56 million of those shares will be newly issued by the company, while the remaining ~28.8 million are being sold by existing shareholders . The expected price range is $35 to $37 per share, which would value Klarna at up to roughly $14 billion . At the top end of that range, Klarna stands to raise about $1.27 billion in gross proceeds . Major global banks including Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley are leading the underwriting syndicate for the offering , underscoring the significance of this listing in the fintech sector.

This IPO is among the most anticipated tech listings of 2025, marking a cautious revival in the tech IPO market after a dry spell. Investor appetite for high-growth tech stocks had been muted for a few years, but steadier markets in 2025 have encouraged companies like Klarna to test the waters again . Recent successful debuts of other fintechs and digital finance firms signaled that the window for public offerings is reopening . Klarna’s debut, in particular, is seen as a bellwether for the BNPL and broader fintech space – its outcome will gauge whether investors are ready to once again bet on fast-growing, but previously overhyped, fintech startups . A strong reception could ignite confidence and pave the way for other late-stage startups to follow, while a lukewarm result might remind founders that even decacorns aren’t immune to skepticism .

From Peak Valuation to Delay

Klarna’s road to the public markets has been anything but straightforward. Just a few years ago, Klarna was Europe’s most valuable startup, with a private valuation that soared to $45.6 billion in 2021 at the height of the BNPL boom . Fueled by multiple funding rounds between 2020 and 2021, the company’s valuation rocketed from $5.5 billion to an eye-watering peak in the mid-$40 billions . There was even talk of an imminent market debut back then – CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski reportedly considered a direct listing in 2021, aiming to capitalize on the fintech frenzy .

However, Klarna’s fortunes swiftly changed course, offering a stark lesson in how fast fortunes can change in the startup world . By mid-2022, as market conditions deteriorated with rising interest rates and investor skepticism toward unprofitable tech, Klarna’s lofty valuation came crashing down. The company shelved its listing plans and instead raised a private down round that plummeted its valuation to $6.7 billion, an astonishing ~85% drop from its peak . This humbling turn of events – a nearly 69% fall from its once $45+ billion perch – turned Klarna into a case study of tempered expectations . The BNPL sector overall was hit hard during this period; soaring inflation and regulatory scrutiny made investors question the sustainability of “growth-at-all-costs” fintech models. In Klarna’s case, it responded by aggressively cutting costs, including a 10% reduction of its workforce, and seeking capital at progressively lower valuations to weather the storm .

Even after surviving the 2022 downturn, Klarna had to remain patient about going public. Volatile market conditions repeatedly delayed its IPO. In fact, Klarna confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO in early 2025, only to pause those plans in April 2025 amid a sudden spike in market volatility . An unexpected announcement of new U.S. trade tariffs sent global markets into a jittery selloff, prompting Klarna’s management to hit the brakes on the offering at the last minute . This springtime hiccup showed that even in 2025, external macro surprises could derail an IPO timeline. It wasn’t until late summer 2025, with markets stabilizing and stocks near record highs, that Klarna felt confident enough to revive its IPO ambitions . Now, roughly 18 years after its founding in 2005, and after years of speculation and at least one false start, Klarna’s long-awaited market debut is finally in motion .

Rebounding with Improved Fundamentals

One reason Klarna can finally proceed with its IPO is that it used the intervening time to strengthen its business fundamentals. After the 2022 reckoning, the company pivoted from breakneck expansion to a focus on efficiency and profitability. These efforts are bearing fruit: Klarna reported a 24% surge in revenue in 2024, reaching $2.81 billion . More impressively, it swung from steep losses to a modest profit – booking a net profit of $21 million in 2024 after a $244 million loss the year before . This marked the first full-year profit for Klarna since 2018, highlighting a significant turnaround in its operating performance. In recent quarters, Klarna’s management has deliberately shifted gears from hyper-growth to “measured” growth with an eye on the bottom line, and it shows in the narrowing of losses and improving margins . The painful belt-tightening measures (slashing operating costs and headcount) appear to have stabilized the business , putting Klarna on a more sustainable path as it enters the public markets.

Klarna’s core business also demonstrated resilience amid economic headwinds. The BNPL pioneer continued to grow its user base and merchant network through the turmoil. As of mid-2025, Klarna boasts over 111 million active consumers and roughly 790,000 merchants across 26 countries . Consumer adoption remains strong – even in a higher interest rate environment – with younger shoppers still drawn to the flexibility of installment payments. Klarna has also expanded its product offerings (for example, rolling out a Klarna Card in the U.S. and obtaining a full banking license in Europe) to diversify revenue beyond the classic pay-in-4 BNPL loans . Moreover, credit metrics have improved: the company noted that a record number of transactions were paid on time or early in Q2 2025, and loan default rates fell to 0.89%, indicating that fears of spiraling credit losses have so far been managed . All these factors helped rebuild investor confidence in Klarna’s model. By mid-2025, private-market trading of Klarna’s stock implied a valuation back in the mid-teens of billions, signaling that the company had partially clawed back its lost valuation (though still far below the 2021 peak) .

Key Lessons for Startup Founders

Klarna’s dramatic rise, fall, and resurgence provide a rich learning opportunity for entrepreneurs. Here are some key lessons startup founders can take away from Klarna’s IPO journey:

• Timing Is Everything: Just because a company can go public doesn’t mean it should – at least not right away. Klarna waited through a years-long IPO drought and chose to list when market conditions showed signs of recovery . It even pulled back an offering in early 2025 when volatility spiked, showing that patience and timing can make the difference between a flop and a successful debut. Founders should gauge the broader market sentiment and be willing to postpone big moves until the environment is favorable .
  
  
• Be Ready to Pivot and Adapt: The path to success is rarely linear. Klarna’s team had to pivot their strategy when circumstances changed – aborting a planned 2021 direct listing and raising emergency private funding in 2022 when the market turned . This flexibility (choosing a down round over a risky IPO) likely saved the company. Startup leaders should always have a Plan B (or C) and remain agile, whether it’s altering go-to-market plans, funding strategies, or product focus, when the situation demands it.
  
  
• Valuations Can Swing Wildly: Klarna’s story is a cautionary tale about sky-high valuations. In 2021 it was a $46 billion superstar, and a year later it was worth a fraction of that  . Such volatility underscores that today’s hype can become tomorrow’s headache. Founders should avoid getting blinded by inflated valuations in boom times – and conversely, not be demoralized by downturn valuations. What matters is building a real business; market sentiment will zigzag. Klarna’s nearly 70% valuation collapse and subsequent partial rebound show that valuation is temporary, but execution is what endures .
  
  
• Focus on Fundamentals and Profitability: When the tide went out on easy money, Klarna had to refocus on fundamentals. The company aggressively cut costs, streamlined operations, and pushed toward profitability – and by 2024 it managed to flip to a profit while growing revenue 24% . For startups, the lesson is clear: high growth is great, but sustainable unit economics and a path to profitability are crucial for long-term viability. Investors eventually ask, “Can you make money?” Klarna’s turnaround suggests that answering that question convincingly is key to restoring faith when hype fades.
  
  
• Expect the Unexpected (External Shocks): Finally, Klarna’s IPO journey illustrates how external factors beyond your control can upend plans. From regulatory pressures on BNPL, to rising interest rates, to an out-of-left-field trade tariff announcement that temporarily derailed its 2025 IPO , Klarna weathered many surprises. Startup founders should always plan for contingencies – whether it’s having extra cash reserves, diversifying markets, or simply the willingness to pause and wait out a storm. The ability to stay calm and make strategic decisions under unpredictable conditions is a hallmark of resilient companies.

Klarna’s experience – climbing to the top, stumbling, and climbing back – serves as a vivid example of the rollercoaster many startups face on the road to an IPO. By learning from its journey, founders can better navigate their own ventures through exuberant highs and challenging lows. In the end, Klarna’s long-awaited IPO isn’t just a fintech news event; it’s a story about perseverance, adaptability, and strategic patience that any entrepreneur can appreciate. The overarching takeaway: build a business that can survive the tough times, and you’ll be ready to thrive when the market’s wind blows in your favor. And reach to us.