Your Daily FinTech Podcast - June 23rd, 2022

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Welcome to another episode of our Daily Fintech Podcast.

THE NEWS HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY IS

Klarna announced the launch of its new Loyalty Card feature in the Klarna App. This allows app users to store and access their physical loyalty cards as digital versions. They can then collect all points and benefits at any merchant without the need to carry plastic equivalents while out shopping in-store.

JUST IN:

Continuing on its mission to democratize access to finance ZELF expands to the United States as a bank of the Metaverse, bringing game loot, NFTs and fiat under one banking roof.

ALSO:

Parpera, the all-in-one business money app for sole traders, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, has seen a surge in the growth of its member base, 80% MoM to 500 businesses, within 3 months of its business debit card launch.

WHAT ABOUT FUNDING ROUNDS AND INVESTMENTS?

Fintech startup Aveni, a firm that is helping advisers plug the gaps exposed by the incoming consumer duty, has landed £2.75mn.

Singapore-based Stashfin has raised $270 million in new funding round as the neobanking platform, which currently only serves customers in India, looks to expand to Southeast Asia and other South Asian markets, it said Tuesday.

alU, the Egypt-based buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) fintech platform, has struck a $12.4 million funding deal with the Saudi-based Alhokair Family, which runs the popular Alhokair Fashion Retail Armenia.

Bengaluru-based B2B fintech SaaS startup FinBox has raised $15 Mn (INR 115 Cr) in a funding round led by A91 Partners.

AS FOR PARTNERSHIPS

YieldX, a FinTech company reimagining fixed income investing, announced a partnership with Jefferies.

NOW, LET’S COVER NEW LAUNCHES AND FEATURES.

QNB Finansbank, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has announced its launch of Open Banking platform for a wider audience including the Bank’s customers, partners and emerging fintechs in Qatar.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE MOVERS AND SHAKERS?

Sardine announced Simon Taylor as its new Head of Content & Strategy. The news comes after Sardine achieved its latest milestone of acquiring over 100 customers.