The hottest Fintech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Banking-as-a-Service: Wrapped

Fintech Business Weekly • 475 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
💰 Finance Fintech Compliance
  1. The banking-as-a-service industry faced challenges in 2023, such as issues with compliance and partnerships.
  2. There was increased regulatory scrutiny on BaaS entities, with concerns around misleading claims and high interest rates.
  3. Multiple BaaS-related scandals and legal actions occurred throughout the year, impacting various companies in the industry.

OpenAI EU, Stripe + Bridge, Qualys TotalAppSec

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI APIs Fintech Cybersecurity Automation
  1. OpenAI launched the O3 Mini AI to compete with DeepSeek, aiming to offer top-notch reasoning and coding skills while being free on the ChatGPT platform.
  2. Stripe acquired the stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1 billion, marking a significant move into the cryptocurrency sector.
  3. Qualys introduced TotalAppSec, an AI-driven tool for managing application risks that helps enhance API safety and web app security.

More is coming soon!

The Dollar Endgame • 299 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💰 Finance Fintech Financial system
  1. The author, Peruvian Bull, is a fintech analyst focusing on finance and monetary economics.
  2. The author invites readers to join their journey to explore the darker aspects of the financial system.
  3. The post hints at more content to come in the future.
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Afridigest Intelligence: Nigeria's Bamboo acquires a US broker-dealer license

Afridigest • 11 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Fintech Investing Startups Operations Regulations
  1. Bamboo, a Nigerian investment platform, recently got a US broker-dealer license. This is an important step for their growth and credibility in the market.
  2. The license will allow Bamboo to operate more effectively in the US financial space, which can help attract more investors.
  3. This achievement reflects the hard work of the Bamboo team and shows the potential of African fintech companies in the global market.

Germany's giroAPI, MoneyHash $5.2M, BeyondTrust Compromised API Key

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology APIs Cybersecurity AI Funding Fintech
  1. DeepSeek is under investigation for using OpenAI's models inappropriately, raising concerns about data security and ethical AI practices.
  2. Germany launched giroAPI, a new standardized API aimed at improving payment systems in Europe and enhancing financial technology competitiveness.
  3. BeyondTrust faced a security breach due to a compromised API key, which highlighted the importance of strong security measures in API management.

Deep Dive: Maple Finance

DeFi Education • 499 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🔮 Crypto DeFi Fintech Blockchain Investments Finance
  1. DeFi stands for decentralized finance, which means financial services that operate without central authorities or intermediaries. It's like banking without a bank, where everybody can access services freely.
  2. Maple Finance is a platform that combines finance technology with decentralized finance. It offers users a chance to lend and borrow funds in a decentralized way.
  3. The goal of DeFi is to create an open finance system accessible to anyone. It aims to improve transparency and inclusivity in financial transactions.

Deep Dive: Arweave (Part 2)

DeFi Education • 619 implied HN points • 16 Jun 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Digital Assets Fintech
  1. Arweave is a platform for decentralized storage, meaning it lets users save data in a way that is safer and doesn't rely on a single company.
  2. This technology ensures that data is permanent and accessible, which is really important for keeping important information over time.
  3. The post is a continuation of a series that helps readers understand how decentralized storage works, so it's helpful to read previous parts for full context.

The Smallest Bank in Tennessee Grew Fast With BaaS. Why It May Give The Entire Industry A Hangover.

Fintech Business Weekly • 267 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
💰 Finance Banking Fintech Regulation Partnerships Deposits
  1. The smallest bank in Tennessee saw significant growth by leveraging BaaS partnerships, but this rapid expansion may raise concerns about the bank's ability to manage increased complexity.
  2. The Herrington family behind Lineage Bank has a history of running banks, facing challenges and controversies in their previous ventures.
  3. Synapse, a key BaaS partner of Lineage Bank, has faced regulatory scrutiny and may be pressuring Lineage to approve more programs, highlighting risks in complex financial partnerships.

Consent Order Double Header Suggests Tough 2024 For Fintech, Banking-as-a-Service

Fintech Business Weekly • 141 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💼 Business Fintech Regulation Partnerships
  1. Fintech and media businesses are facing challenges like layoffs and closures, highlighting the importance of independent journalism.
  2. Regulatory changes like the CFPB proposed rules on junk fees and NY BNPL law are impacting the banking and fintech industry.
  3. Recent enforcement actions on Blue Ridge Bank and Choice Bank reveal the regulatory scrutiny on BaaS relationships, emphasizing the need for due diligence and compliance.

Putting The "Ce" In "DeFi" (Part 1)

DeFi Education • 519 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Investing DeFi Fintech Tokens
  1. Crypto is always changing and can be confusing for many people. Even with ups and downs, it continues to be an exciting topic.
  2. Recent events in the DeFi world highlight the challenges and developments happening in the space. It's important to pay attention to these changes.
  3. This piece is geared toward those who want to dig deeper into DeFi. It aims to educate and engage those seriously interested in the topic.

Open Banking & Embedded Finance – Two sides of the same coin; Which technologies are shaping the future of fintech?; So what has the winning strategy for fintechs been over the last decade?;

Fintech Wrap Up • 58 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💰 Finance Fintech Investments Technology Trends Market Analysis
  1. Open Banking and Embedded Finance are closely related concepts driving innovation in fintech through APIs.
  2. Key winning strategies for fintech success include starting with a unique product, scaling to improve cost efficiency, and expanding to offer multiple related products.
  3. Fintech investments globally saw a significant drop in 2023, but confidence started to return towards the end of the year.

Apple Advance Commerce API, Highnote $90M, Perplexity Sonar

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology APIs Software AI Fintech Commerce
  1. Apple launched a new Advanced Commerce API to help developers manage in-app purchases more easily. This API supports apps with large content libraries and complex subscription needs.
  2. Highnote raised $90 million in funding to improve its card issuance platform, aiming to streamline payment processes for businesses. The company is expanding its offerings to make payments easier for small and large enterprises.
  3. Perplexity introduced an API called Sonar that integrates generative AI search capabilities into applications. This tool promises to provide accurate answers and is aimed at making AI-driven tools more accessible for developers.

Brigit's Good Intentions Aren't A Defense to FTC Allegations

Fintech Business Weekly • 156 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
💼 Business Fintech Regulation Investment Financial Services
  1. Brigit faced FTC allegations despite good intentions in serving lower-income users
  2. FTC alleged deceptive practices by Brigit, including misleading claims and difficult subscription cancellations
  3. The Federal Reserve proposed lowering the debit interchange cap, expecting cost savings for merchants and potential impacts on fees and ecommerce

Was Fintech's Biggest Lending "Innovation" A Willingness To Serve Riskier Borrowers By Charging Higher Rates?

Fintech Business Weekly • 237 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
💰 Finance Fintech Lending Venture Capital Banking
  1. Fintech lenders rely heavily on conventional credit scores like FICO and possibly overcharge riskier borrowers.
  2. Fintech's main 'innovation' is serving borrowers banks reject by charging higher interest rates.
  3. Goldman Sachs is looking to offload its Apple partnership, showcasing the shifting landscape of fintech engagements.

A brief guide to building your first lending product

Rohit’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
💼 Business Fintech Startup Lending Compliance Regulations
  1. Building financial products like credit cards or loans requires careful consideration of compliance regulations, risk models, operations, and funding models.
  2. Fintech infrastructure products can assist in building credit products, but integration can be complex due to a lack of standard setup.
  3. To effectively build a lending product, break it down into steps like acquisition, underwriting, origination, funding, and servicing.

Leaked Treasury Prime Docs Show Risks Of BaaS Business: Churn, Concentration, Slowing Growth

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
💰 Finance Fintech Banking Regulations Business Models Risk management
  1. Leaked Treasury Prime documents highlight risks in Banking-as-a-Service business, including issues like churn, concentration, and slowing growth.
  2. Treasury Prime's strategic pivot to focus on selling to banks instead of fintechs resulted in drastic employee layoffs, shedding light on the challenging environment for middleware platforms in fintech.
  3. Fintech companies like Chime and Green Dot facing regulatory actions and penalties underscore the importance of compliance and customer service in the financial industry.

Future of Goldman's "Platform Solutions" Looks Grim

Fintech Business Weekly • 170 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
💰 Finance Fintech Banking Cryptocurrency Regulation
  1. Eco shut down its banking app and laid off its team as it focuses on new money initiatives with cryptocurrency.
  2. Goldman Sachs is near selling GreenSky, indicating a bleak future for its "Platform Solutions" division.
  3. CFPB warns that lenders using AI must provide specific reasons for adverse actions and initiates rulemaking to remove medical debt from credit reports.

Potential Class Action Argues High APR "Rent-a-Bank" Scheme Violates RICO

Fintech Business Weekly • 96 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💰 Finance Banking Legal Regulation Fintech Lending
  1. A potential class action case argues against a "rent-a-bank" scheme for high APR loans, highlighting the importance of understanding financial regulations and usury laws in the lending industry.
  2. The case brings attention to the evolving landscape between fintech companies and traditional banks, showing the complexities and discussions around defining the true lender in partnerships.
  3. The case also underscores the need for transparency and clarity in financial partnerships, as demonstrated by the alleged lack of distinction between a fintech entity and bank in customer-facing materials.

USAF Aircraft Maintenance Standard, xAI $6B, Postman Leak

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Digital Tools Data security APIs Fintech
  1. ChatGPT and Sora experienced service outages, affecting many users. This situation shows how important it is for digital services to have strong systems, especially during busy times.
  2. The U.S. Air Force is creating a new standard for aircraft maintenance that will help both military and commercial aviation. This is a big step towards improving safety and efficiency in aircraft upkeep.
  3. A major leak revealed that thousands of Postman Workspaces exposed sensitive data like API keys. This highlights how crucial it is to secure digital information to prevent cyber risks.

Morgan Stanley-Backed TomoCredit Isn't Paying Its Bills, Faces Mounting Legal Challenges

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech Credit Legal Challenges Startups Banking
  1. TomoCredit, a startup backed by Morgan Stanley, is facing financial troubles and legal challenges despite its initial success claims.
  2. Mission Lane, a subprime card startup linked to LendUp, has raised $50 million and replaced its CEO in an effort to reposition itself.
  3. A study by the Federal Reserve reveals differences in how financially stable versus fragile households utilize buy now, pay later services, impacting the types and frequency of purchases made.

Is the Capital One/Discover Deal Good or Bad For “Competition”? Yes.

Fintech Business Weekly • 81 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech Regulation Banking Acquisition Legislation
  1. Capital One's acquisition of Discover is a complex deal that has both good and bad elements for competition, creating a potential shake up in the US payments space.
  2. The CFPB is using once-dormant authority to supervise nonbank entities like World Acceptance Corp, focusing on risks to consumers.
  3. Acting Comptroller Hsu suggests creating a federal money transmitter licensing framework to better regulate non-bank companies providing bank-like services, highlighting potential risks in the growing role of non-bank firms in banking areas.

Issue #139: Revolut Eyes New Zealand Banking Licence, eToro Targets US IPO, And Pocket Money Goes Digital

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💰 Finance Fintech Investing Banking Payments Digital Currency
  1. Revolut is applying for a banking license in New Zealand to expand its services. This could help them offer more products and gain a larger market share there.
  2. eToro is planning a U.S. IPO after a previous attempt fell through. They are looking to enter the public market at a time when investor interest in fintech is growing.
  3. John Lewis launched a fun app called 'Pocket Money Pet' to help kids learn about money. It's a creative way to teach kids saving and budgeting skills early on.

Y Combinator S23 Demo Day: AI & Dev Tools Dominate

Golden Pineapple • 158 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Developer Tools Automation Fintech Data security
  1. 70% of the top YC S23 companies are focusing on AI and Developer Tools.
  2. Key trends from the YC S23 batch include AI and automation, developer-centric solutions, and financial compliance platforms.
  3. Top companies are showcasing a mix of AI-driven solutions, developer tools, fintech platforms, and a focus on user experience.

Issue #137: Klarna’s U.S. IPO Plans, Nubank Hits 100M Users, And PayPal Gets Collaborative

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💰 Finance Fintech Investing Banking Cryptocurrency Economic Trends
  1. Klarna has filed for an IPO in the U.S., hoping to attract more investors. This comes after difficult years, but they're now showing profitability.
  2. Nubank has grown to over 100 million customers in Brazil, showing how digital banks can successfully compete with traditional ones. They've expanded their services beyond just credit cards.
  3. PayPal has introduced a new feature for group money pooling, making it easier for users to manage shared expenses. This move highlights how big companies can absorb features that startups were trying to create.

SmartBear Hubs with HaloAI, Quantifind $22M, BeyondTrust API Key Breach

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI APIs Cybersecurity Fintech Software
  1. OpenAI is launching its new o3-mini AI model soon. This model is smaller and more efficient, designed to help developers create voice apps quickly.
  2. Quantifind has raised $22 million to improve how financial crime is detected using AI, making it easier to find suspicious transactions.
  3. BeyondTrust faced a security issue where a compromised API key led to unauthorized access, highlighting the importance of keeping such keys safe.