The hottest Fintech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Nasdaq Tape D API, OatFi $24M, Salt Illuminate

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Postman has introduced a new AI feature called Agent Mode that makes API tasks much faster and easier. This means developers can spend less time on manual work and more time building.
  2. OatFi has raised $24 million to improve B2B payment solutions with their APIs. Their goal is to help businesses manage cash flow effectively through better financing options.
  3. Security updates are becoming a big focus in the API world, with companies like Salt Security launching tools to help organizations protect their APIs quickly. This is important to keep sensitive data safe and comply with regulations.

Issue #95: X Is Getting Into P2P Payments, Circle Files For An IPO, And Revolut Gains Interest In Its HR Tech Offering

Fintech Radar • 18 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Twitter (X) plans to introduce peer-to-peer payments, a logical starting point given its large user base and commerce opportunities
  2. Revolut's HR platform, Revolut People, attracts over 300 companies to its waitlist, surprising with strong interest in the offering
  3. Mastercard is developing an AI tool for small businesses, showing a cautious approach amid a potential trend towards more AI-focused innovations in the market

Going cashless in Nigeria: How startups are digitizing payments in the country's trickiest verticals

Afridigest • 15 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Nigeria is a leading fintech hub in Africa, receiving a significant amount of funding in the sector since 2022.
  2. Despite fintech activity, cash remains prevalent in Nigeria, especially in everyday transactions like public transportation, informal economy vendors, and fuel purchases.
  3. Startups in Nigeria are innovating to overcome challenges in digitizing payments in tricky sectors, offering solutions like digital payment systems for transportation, mobile money for informal vendors, and e-wallets for fuel payments.

Big Changes Are Coming to FIN!

James Ledbetter's FIN • 15 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Big changes are happening to FIN, with new editorial leadership and a vision for cross-platform expansion in the fintech industry.
  2. Investors are showing interest in fintech companies like Eigen Labs securing significant funding for innovations like restaking protocols and dub platform for copy trading.
  3. AI-driven fintech and regtech companies like Napier AI are experiencing growth through substantial funding to enhance compliance and security measures.

Afridigest Fintech Review: Virtual USD cards go viral

Afridigest • 27 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Africa's fintech market is growing rapidly and expected to be the fastest-growing worldwide this decade
  2. Multiple fintech companies in Africa raised significant amounts through fundraises recently
  3. Issues with virtual USD cards in Africa have resurfaced, with some fintechs temporarily deactivating the service
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

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
  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.

Issue #136: Affirm Arrives In The UK, Block Ramps Up Afterpay, And Coinbase Partners With Visa

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Affirm is now in the UK, partnering with Amazon to offer buy now, pay later options. This move puts them up against established competitors like Klarna and Afterpay.
  2. Block is enhancing its Cash App by integrating Afterpay, making it easier for users to manage payments. This could help Block maximize the value of its Afterpay acquisition.
  3. Coinbase teamed up with Visa for real-time deposits, allowing quick transfers into user accounts. This partnership is a significant step for improving the user experience in crypto trading.

Issue #142: Kraken’s Crypto Payments Bet, Bud’s AI Move And PIX's Continued Expansion

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🔮 Crypto Fintech
  1. Kraken has started a new crypto payments service, helping businesses accept digital currencies. This could revive interest in crypto payments, especially as the regulatory environment improves.
  2. Brazil's Pix payment system is expanding its features with recurring payments, potentially opening up a $30 billion opportunity. This makes Pix a stronger competitor against traditional payment networks.
  3. Bud launched an AI-powered search tool for financial transactions, helping banks better understand customer data. This could change how banks manage data and improve services like lending and fraud detection.

Issue #133: Stripe To Buy Bridge For $1.1B, Apple Pay Adds Klarna, And Brex Partners With Navan

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Stripe is buying Bridge for $1.1 billion to enhance its stablecoin services. This shows Stripe's big plans to grow its role in international payments.
  2. Apple Pay is teaming up with Klarna to allow users to split payments into four interest-free installments. This move signals Apple’s shift back to focusing on partnerships for better payment options.
  3. Brex is partnering with Navan to make travel payments easier for businesses. This collaboration aims to simplify expense management by integrating payment solutions directly into travel bookings.

Issue #140: Amazon Snaps Up Axio, Robinhood’s Crypto Push Into Spain, and Another Bank Fintech Flop

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Amazon is buying a fintech called Axio in India to strengthen its credit services. This shows Amazon's intent to dive deeper into lending rather than just partnering with others.
  2. Ramp has launched a new treasury management product, making it easier for businesses to manage their cash. This is part of a trend where companies want financial tools that integrate into their daily operations.
  3. HSBC shut down its Zing app just a year after launching it, which highlights how challenging it is for banks to successfully enter the fintech space. Just having money and a name isn't enough to succeed in this fast-paced market.

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
  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.

Microsoft Ire, Ripple + Rail, Wallarm API Revenue Protection

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 11 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. OpenAI launched GPT-5, which is said to improve coding abilities and comes with a new tiered pricing strategy to attract developers.
  2. Wallarm introduced a new API Revenue Protection feature that helps secure revenue-generating APIs by providing real-time financial insights.
  3. Microsoft's new Project Ire is an AI tool for classifying malware, showing promise in improving cybersecurity measures.

Issue #135: Robinhood Launches Election Contracts, NVIDIA Tackles Fraud, And Moniepoint Joins the Unicorn Club

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Robinhood has launched contracts for betting on the U.S. presidential election, allowing users to trade on candidates like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This move taps into the growing interest in prediction markets during election cycles.
  2. Hong Kong has introduced a framework for AI in finance to ensure responsible use, data privacy, and collaboration with universities. This trend might inspire other markets to set similar guidelines for AI in financial services.
  3. NVIDIA is now using AI to detect fraudulent credit card transactions in real-time. This development shows how AI is making it easier for companies outside of traditional finance to tackle fraud prevention.

Issue #134: Western Union Acquires Dash, Morgan Stanley’s AI Push, And Finix’s New Funding Round

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Western Union is buying Dash, a mobile wallet in Singapore, to expand its digital services. This shows how much the remittance business has changed with more competition from apps.
  2. Goldman Sachs and Apple are being fined nearly $90 million over issues with the Apple Card, which could hurt their future plans. It highlights the challenges Goldman faces in consumer banking.
  3. Morgan Stanley launched an AI assistant to help its staff analyze research reports faster. This shows how traditional finance is integrating AI to improve efficiency.

Zoominfo Copilot API, Credibur $2.2M, Intruder Autoswagger

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 29 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Stripe has bought Orum, a company that helps with real-time payments and managing transactions. This is part of Stripe's plan to get even better at handling payments quickly.
  2. The API Security Unconference is coming up and is all about important talks on keeping APIs safe from new threats. It's a great chance to learn and network with others who care about API security.
  3. Intruder has launched a free tool called Autoswagger that checks APIs for security flaws. This can help businesses protect themselves from common vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.

Friday Harbor Open APIs, Yasmina $2M, APIDynamics M2M Security

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 22 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Google has launched new features for its APIs, including a video generator API and a metadata field to improve data accuracy. These updates are vital for developers looking to enhance their applications.
  2. Yasmina, a Saudi insurtech startup, has raised $2 million to expand its API-driven insurance services into new markets. This funding will help them grow their offerings in the UAE and Egypt.
  3. APIDynamics is focusing on improving API security with new methods like adaptive multi-factor authentication and Zero Trust. This is crucial as more systems rely on machine-to-machine communication.

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

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🕹 Technology 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.

Afridigest Fintech Review: FairMoney's 'unfair' offer to buy Umba

Afridigest • 7 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Nigerian neobank FairMoney made an offer to buy Umba, which includes a healthy premium.
  2. The South African Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group is examining stablecoin use cases and might respond with regulations this year.
  3. Nigerian governmental authorities have temporarily blocked access to global crypto exchanges to combat the rapid depreciation of the Nigeria naira.

Foxit PDF API, OpenRouter $40M, SOCRadar Threat MCP

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 07 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Foxit launched new APIs to make PDF handling and document generation easier for apps. This helps developers avoid complicated setups.
  2. OpenRouter received $40 million in funding, showing strong investor interest in their LLM API platform, which supports a large number of developers.
  3. SOCRadar introduced an MCP Server that connects AI with secure threat intelligence, helping cybersecurity experts analyze risks more efficiently.

Issue #86: Musk Wants X To Replace Your Bank, JPM Coin Is Now Handling $1b In Daily Transactions Volume And Catch Relaunches

Fintech Radar • 8 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Elon Musk plans to turn Twitter into a financial app called X by 2024.
  2. Monzo is in talks to sell a stake in the company worth over £300m to prepare for an IPO.
  3. JPMorgan's JPM Coin handles $1 billion in daily transactions, showing slow but significant growth in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Issue #101: Capital One To Buy Discover For $35.3b, Monzo Eyes £4b Valuation, And FairMoney In Talks To Buy Umba

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Capital One's acquisition of Discover for $35.3 billion aims to boost competitiveness in the payments network but may face regulatory challenges due to concerns about bank consolidation.
  2. Monzo's potential £4 billion valuation in a funding round signifies ongoing investor interest in neobanks adapting to profitability and growth in the consumer fintech market.
  3. FairMoney's talks to buy Umba in a $20 million deal show a trend of consolidation in fintech markets like Africa, where companies navigate challenges to serve a growing demand for digital financial services.

Issue #100 🎉 🥳 : Revolut Expands Into Offering eSIMs, FIS Partners To Offer A2A Payments, And Temenos Gets Hindenburged

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Revolut ventures into telecom by introducing phone plans in the UK with eSIMs, aligning with its all-encompassing super app vision.
  2. FIS partners with Banked to offer pay-by-bank solutions, a move towards A2A payments that could challenge traditional card schemes.
  3. Temenos faces allegations from Hindenburg Research, highlighting the challenges in large corporate tech transformations and the need to address accusations.

Issue #98: Apple Card Tops 12m Users, Ramp Announces An Acquisition, And Mastercard Launches A Gen AI Tool

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Apple Card has over 12 million users and provided $1 billion in cashback rewards last year, showing challenges in acquiring users for embedded financial services.
  2. Fintech Ramp's acquisition of Venue highlights the competition in SMB banking to be a central hub for financial operations.
  3. Mastercard introduces Decision Intelligence Pro, using Gen AI to enhance transaction risk assessment, indicating the potential for Gen AI in compliance within the fintech sector.

Issue #97: PayPal Fails To Excite The Market With Its New Features, TikTok Wants Every Post To Be Shoppable, And Klarna Drops A Subscription Product

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. PayPal failed to impress the market with its new features, losing momentum after an initial spike in stock value.
  2. TikTok is testing a feature to make every post shoppable, aiming to boost its e-commerce business with enhanced shopping experiences.
  3. Klarna introduced a $7.99 subscription plan 'Klarna Plus' to generate recurring revenue as it gears up for its IPO, reflecting mixed opinions on the BNPL industry.

Issue #76: The UK Wants To Drop £1b On Late Stage Fintech Startups, Nubank Posts Record Revenue And BitGo Secures The Bag

Fintech Radar • 8 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. The UK is investing heavily in late-stage fintech startups with a £1 billion fund.
  2. Investors are cautious about valuing FinTech companies due to global economic concerns.
  3. Nubank has achieved record revenue growth and increased customer base, while BitGo has secured a significant funding and valuation.

Issue #89: Mastercard Makes Moves In China, Wise Posts A Healthy H1 Result, And Adyen Launches A New Product In Australia

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Wise reported impressive financial results for H1 2023 with quadrupled pre-tax profits, showing success in expanding beyond peer-to-peer money exchange.
  2. Adyen launched Capital in Australia, recognizing the growing demand for embedded financial services in platform businesses.
  3. Mastercard received approval for bankcard clearing in China, a big step to settle transactions directly and establish presence in the Chinese market.

Issue #138: Robinhood Acquires TradePMR, Revolut’s ATM Play, And UPI Continues To Go Global

Fintech Radar • 2 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Robinhood has bought TradePMR to expand its services for financial advisers, showing it's serious about growing in the wealth management area. This move is part of a wider trend where fintech companies are trying to offer more services to their users.
  2. Revolut is planning to introduce an AI assistant, branded ATMs, and mortgage options by 2025. These additions reflect their aggressive approach to compete in the traditional finance space beyond just banking.
  3. Google Pay is now incorporating buy now, pay later options from Afterpay and Klarna. This shows that big tech companies want to partner with existing services instead of directly competing in the financial sector.

Issue #82: Apple Explores Open Banking In The UK, Ant Group Launches A Pan-Asian Mobile Wallet, And Nova Credit & HSBC Collaborate on Cross-Border Credit Sharing

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Apple introduces feature allowing UK users to view bank account balance via Apple Wallet using Open Banking APIs.
  2. Ant Group expands payment ecosystem for Asian e-wallets through Alipay+ Program, enabling seamless mobile payments.
  3. Nova Credit partners with HSBC UK to offer credit card for immigrants, leveraging international credit history for new customers.

A Farewell to Mint

James Ledbetter's FIN • 5 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Intuit plans to shut down Mint by the end of the year, moving users to Credit Karma.
  2. Mint revolutionized financial tracking with real-time updates on accounts and budgeting tools.
  3. Millions of Americans found Mint to be life-changing in managing their finances.

Issue #78: X Gets Licenses in Multiple U.S. States, Open Banking Payments Are On The Up And A Partnership Between Hallmark And Venmo Brings New Meaning to 'Embedded Finance'

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Elon Musk's X obtaining licenses in multiple U.S. states to process payments, entering into the fintech space.
  2. UK experiencing a surge in open banking payments, with significant growth in single domestic payments.
  3. Hallmark and Venmo partnering to allow sending money in physical greeting cards, showcasing embedded finance innovation.

Google SQL Translator API, StackOne €3.3M, Salt Security Developer Portal

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Google introduced a unified SQL translator API for BigQuery, aimed at enhancing efficiency in translating jobs and supporting various SQL dialects.
  2. StackOne secured €3.3M in seed funding to improve its AI-powered unified API for SaaS enterprises, acknowledging its potential in streamlining SaaS integrations.
  3. Salt Security launched a Developer Portal as a centralized resource to automate API security, focused on improving developer experiences and enabling secure API integrations.

Afridigest Fintech Review: On boldness, Brass, and Binance

Afridigest • 3 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. One fintech financing transaction and two fintech M&A deals were announced, showcasing growth and activity in the African fintech space.
  2. Significant news of the week included M-Pesa celebrating 17 years, Binance stopping Naira services, Lemfi's move to China, and Flutterwave streamlining its product offerings, indicating shifts and changes in the industry.
  3. Key companies and executives highlighted in this Fintech Review include Binance, M-Pesa, Brass, Flutterwave, Interswitch, Mastercard, and more, offering insights into the major players and leaders shaping the African fintech landscape.

OpenAI EU, Stripe + Bridge, Qualys TotalAppSec

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  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.