The Fintech Times Bi-Weekly News Roundup takes a look at the latest fintech stories from around the world on Tuesday 15 April 2025.
Partnerships and acquisitions
CellPoint Digital, the payment orchestration platform for airlines and travel merchants, has partnered with Checkout.com, a global payment solutions provider, to enable travel brands to streamline payment complexity, optimise conversion rates, and deliver a frictionless payment experience through a single, AI-driven integration.
Al Ansari Exchange, the UAE-based remittance and foreign exchange company, and Ruya Islamic Community Bank (ruya), a digital-first Islamic community bank, are working together to enhance financial inclusivity and convenience for customers across the UAE. This collaboration will enable ruya customers to enjoy instant and fee-free cash deposit services at over 260 Al Ansari Exchange branches nationwide.
Datactics has developed a digital data validation sandbox for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) designed to help assess data systems and processes prior to regulatory audits. Announcing a new collaboration with Datactics following this launch, financial services provider, Investec will be utilising the sandbox to improve its digital transformation.
Dubizzle Group, the digital marketplace group, has acquired Property Monitor, a real-estate market intelligence platform in the UAE. The acquisition of Property Monitor reinforces Dubizzle Group’s leadership in real estate classifieds and technology through a portfolio of brands, including Bayut and dubizzle.
Funding news
Smart money app Plum has secured £15million in debt financing from global financial group BBVA, following a transformational year of delivery. Plum plans to use the new funds to support the execution of its ambitious roadmap as it aims to achieve operational profitability in 2025.
BKN301 Group, a global fintech specialising in Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), has successfully closed a £18.6million capital increase. This will support BKN301’s international growth through organic development and strategic acquisitions, as well as enhancing the firm’s proprietary BaaS Orchestrator platform.
Cardiff-based sustainable finance app Zero has officially launched Google Pay integration, following a highly successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over £1.48million—including more than £1million via Crowdcube.
Vinyl Equity, a trusted transfer agent for public companies, has raised $11.5million in seed funding.The company has also announced that Silvio “Joe” Conte has been named as head of partnerships, further strengthening the company’s leadership team.
South Africa-based payments infrastructure company Stitch has announced a $55million series B funding round led by QED Investors, enabling the fast-growing team to deepen and expand its in-person payments offering, move into the acquiring space and further bolster its online payments suite.
Appointments
GoCardless, the bank payment company, has announced the appointment of Shaun Puckrin as chief product officer. In the new role, he will lead the fintech’s product teams with responsibility for the product development and innovation agenda, including new payment flows, open banking capabilities and continuous product improvements to help merchants collect and send payments from GoCardless’ bank payment platform.
Bibby Financial Services (BFS), the financial services partner, has announced the appointment of Niels Gooch as head of sales for Bibby Foreign Exchange (BFX). Commenting on the role, Gooch said: “I am really looking forward to working with the talented team here and continue to help our customers navigate the complexities of international payments and FX risk management as they look to grow overseas.”
ING, the banking services provider, has announced the appointment of Enrique Piñel as managing director and global head of financial institutions advisory based in the UK. Piñel will be responsible for originating and executing corporate finance transactions with financial institutions globally
Cashflow finance provider eCapital Commercial Finance ( eCapital) has appointed Jason Sedgwick as regional sales manager within their South of England team. This move enhances eCapital’s sales presence as the company continues its growth trajectory in the competitive financial services market.
Digital transformation consultancy Daemon has announced the strengthening of its board, promoting Richard Newsome as non-executive chairman. Newsome will continue to support Daemon’s business growth and work in the retail sector, while expanding its footprint into financial services and the public sector.
Puneet Malhotra, has joined Personetics, the cognitive banking company, as chief revenue officer and is responsible for the firm’s global sales operations, overseeing global banking brands across 30 countries and serving 150 million active monthly end-users.
VeChain, the real-world public blockchain applications firm welcomes UFC CEO and Power Slap founder Dana White as its newest official advisor.
Company updates
Sift, the AI-powered fraud platform, has announced a significant update to its Partner Programme, designed to support partners in transforming digital risk into revenue opportunities. It now includes multiple partnership categories and deeper ways for partners to engage with Sift.
Ozone API, the UK-based, open API fintech platform, has launched a guide to support banks and PSPs through Verification Of Payee (VOP), ahead of the mandatory changes that need to be implemented by October 2025.
To promote the development of the crypto-asset market, the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) adopted amendments to the Personal Income Tax Law in its final reading. This legislative change is part of a broader strategic initiative to foster an innovation-friendly business environment and strengthen Latvia’s position as a competitive hub for the crypto industry.
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE’s Federal export credit company, is set to participate as a host partner in TXF MENA 2025 conference. The participation reflects the company’s commitment to discovering new ways to help UAE-based businesses increase their export capacities and support their entry into global markets.
Pleo, a financial platform for businesses, announces another year of remarkable growth, achieving 37 per cent revenue growth in 2024, underpinned by 56 per cent SaaS revenue growth.
NorthRow, a UK regtech platform, has announced that it is rolling out a new product-led growth strategy and a strategic review to ensure that the business continues to develop and grow, both in the UK and internationally.
