The hottest Fintech Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Tray.io AI-Augmented API Management, Dwolla Open Banking, JetBrains UI Testing API

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Tyk introduces AI-augmented API management for collaborative integration and microservice creation, reducing technical debt and operational costs.
  2. Dwolla unveils Open Banking Services enhancing payment functions for seamless business integration and operational efficiency.
  3. JetBrains releases Compose Multiplatform 1.6.0 with a UI testing API, improving cross-platform UI testing and accessibility on iOS.

Afridigest Fintech Review: Killing crypto in Nigeria

Afridigest • 3 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. The Nigerian authorities took aggressive steps against Binance in response to the country's currency depreciation.
  2. The Fintech Review highlighted two fintech financing transactions and one fintech M&A deal.
  3. Notable companies and executives mentioned in the Fintech Review include Binance, Strike, MTN, Mastercard, and others.

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

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology 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.

Nylas API v3, MuleSoft PDK,Escape Found 18K+ Leaked Secrets

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. API trends in 2024 include a dynamic ecosystem of tooling, AI integration, and the rise of API product managers for enterprise success with a focus on governance and visibility
  2. Companies like Nylas, MuleSoft, and BlueBox Systems are introducing new API solutions to enhance performance, security, real-time tracking, & urban infrastructure development
  3. Security remains a critical concern with news of over 18,000 exposed API secrets discovered by the team at Escape, emphasizing the importance of token management and regular rotations
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

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

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  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.

Afridigest Fintech Review: Mobile money milestones

Afridigest • 3 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Three fintech financing transactions and an M&A deal were announced this week.
  2. Mastercard is acquiring around a 4% stake in MTN's mobile money & fintech unit with a $200 million investment.
  3. Key companies like MTN, Paystack, LemFi, Jumo, Mira, Lesaka, were featured in this Fintech Review along with notable executives in the industry.

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

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Fintech
  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.

Issue #79: Visa Gets In On Stablecoin Summer, Monzo Takes On Scam Callers, And ThetaRay Secures $57M To Fight Money Laundering

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Visa expands stablecoin settlement capabilities by partnering with merchant acquirers, facilitating instant payment authorizations.
  2. Temenos introduces a generative AI tool to automatically classify customer banking transactions, potentially revolutionizing banking processes.
  3. ThetaRay raises $57M for AI tools to fight money laundering, showcasing the increasing importance of compliance-focused startups in fintech.

"Income and Wealth Inequality Went Down During the Pandemic": A Q&A with Felix Salmon

James Ledbetter's FIN • 5 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Income and wealth inequality decreased during the pandemic due to stimulus and increased minimum wages.
  2. The pandemic accelerated technological advancements, such as the development of mRNA vaccines and digital payments.
  3. Changes in real estate preferences indicate a lasting shift towards valuing residential space over commercial space.

ChatGPT Learns Fintech

Chaos Engineering • 5 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. ChatGPT can learn some superficial aspects of finance but needs explicit training to become a financial expert.
  2. For ChatGPT to learn fintech, a hybrid architecture combining its pretrained model with a specific ML model optimized for financial tasks is necessary.
  3. Improving ChatGPT's understanding of finance requires training it on structured financial data and updating its architecture to process dense, numeric data.

Databricks Synthetic Datasets API, Vapi $20M, Prometheus Data Leak

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. OpenAI and Meta experienced global outages recently, disrupting services for many users. They are working on fixes to prevent this from happening again.
  2. Databricks launched a new API for creating synthetic datasets to help with testing while protecting privacy. This is useful for developers needing realistic simulation data.
  3. Prometheus servers are at risk of data leaks due to weak authentication, making it important to enhance security measures to prevent potential attacks.

McKinsey Employees More Likely To Raise VC Funds In Healthcare Than Stanford PhDs

Golden Pineapple • 4 HN points • 03 Jul 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Ex-McKinsey employees are founding more venture-backed businesses compared to Google and Microsoft alumni across various sectors.
  2. In the Healthcare sector, ex-McKinsey employees topped the list with 106 companies founded by them.
  3. Ex-McKinsey employees are excelling in founding venture-funded companies in sectors like Biotechnology, Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence.

apidays Paris, Cerve Food API $4.4M, Traefik AI Gateway

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. The apidays conference in Paris brought together many people to share ideas about APIs. It had various tracks on important topics like security and design.
  2. Several companies are launching new APIs to make processes easier, such as identity management and payment systems. These updates enhance personalization and efficiency for businesses.
  3. AI advancements are being integrated into different products, with companies like Amazon and GitHub making tools to simplify coding and deployment. This makes it easier for developers to work with cloud technologies.

Spotify Closes API, PlayAI $21M, SEC EDGAR Next

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Spotify is limiting access to its API for third-party developers. This change is meant to protect user data but has upset many developers who feel left in the dark.
  2. PlayAI has raised $21 million to improve its AI voice technology. This funding will help them create better speech tools for businesses.
  3. The SEC is updating its EDGAR system for better security and account management. These changes will make filing and managing documents easier for companies.

Gemini OpenAI Compatibility, Qpoint $4M, Ollama's Security Flaws

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Cybercriminals are manipulating the Docusign API to send fake invoices to businesses, making them look real to trick users. This highlights the potential risks in API security that could extend to other services too.
  2. Qpoint has raised $4 million in funding to help companies manage their external APIs better. Their goal is to give teams more control and insights over the apps they rely on.
  3. Ollama's AI framework has been found to have serious security flaws, which can lead to data theft and DoS attacks. This underlines the importance of strong security measures in AI technologies.

Breaking: Lineage Hit With FDIC Consent Order

Fintech Business Weekly • 2 HN points • 23 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Lineage Bank faced regulatory issues with the FDIC due to oversight failures in its banking-as-a-service partnerships.
  2. The consent order from the FDIC requires Lineage Bank to make significant changes in its management, risk assessment, and operational practices.
  3. The impact of Lineage Bank's BaaS wind down and the FDIC order on Synapse, Synctera, and their fintech clients is not yet clear.

Issue #99: Entrust Wants To Buy Onfido, MEPs Move To Make Euro Transactions Arrive In 10 Seconds, And JPMorgan Plans To Open 500 Branches

Fintech Radar • 2 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. The acquisition of Onfido by Entrust indicates the evolving landscape of KYC beyond financial services, with the expansion of AI/ML-based verification technology to various sectors.
  2. JPMorgan's decision to open 500 new branches seems counterintuitive in a digital age; however, it presents a unique opportunity to invest in physical presence amidst industry trends of branch closures.
  3. MEPs implementing rules for Euro transfers to arrive within 10 seconds will likely stir industry activity to meet this requirement and may impact how charges are structured for instant transactions.

Kong AI Gateway, Bitly Barcode API, Feever €10M

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. Kong has introduced a new open-source AI Gateway with features focused on simplifying AI integration and centralized access.
  2. Feever, a Swedish Powertech firm, secured a substantial €10 million funding for expanding its energy asset connection platform across Europe.
  3. Bitly Inc. unveiled the first API for generating 2D Barcodes to enhance product data capture and consumer engagement, aligning with the predicted industry shift towards 2D Barcodes becoming standard by 2027.

Free money, who doesn't like free money?

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 13 Feb 24
💰 Finance Fintech
  1. Who doesn't like free money? A post discussing the appeal of free money and investment ideas on a podcast.
  2. European equity markets and investment opportunities in the UK are topics discussed in the podcast.
  3. The episode mentioned trashing Cassandras and doom-mongers, advocating for growth investment ideas.

Designing Payment Applications

Money in Transit • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Fintech
  1. CFOs in fintech companies prioritize reliability over speed
  2. There is a disconnect between decision-making and software development in fintech startups
  3. Payment applications require precision and understanding of business contexts

#35 Manuel Silva: VC firm building, LP fundraising hacks, and the future of finance

Views • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Curiosity and diverse experiences play a key role in shaping a successful career in VC and fintech innovation.
  2. Building a corporate VC arm requires seizing the right opportunities, managing complex problems, and ensuring a personal fit.
  3. Lessons from Silicon Valley highlight the importance of strong relationships, ambitious thinking, ecosystem connections, and personal reputation.

Noncompete Clauses Foolishly Hinder Fintech Innovation. Let's Ban Them.

James Ledbetter's FIN • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Noncompete clauses hinder innovation and restrict employee mobility. Banning them can lead to greater innovation and job opportunities.
  2. PayPal's days of rapid growth are over, facing challenges like loss of active users and slowed innovation. A new CEO seeks to steer the company to future growth.
  3. Various fintech news include European Parliament passing a measure for faster money transfers in the euro zone, a startup fundraising to prevent fraud in real estate transactions, and a lawsuit seeking $3 billion from Digital Currency Group and Gemini Trust for alleged cryptocurrency scheme fraud.

UBS to cut more than half of Credit Suisse workforce; How does B2B fintech pricing evolve?; Goldman in talks to offload Apple credit card, savings products to American Express;

Fintech Wrap Up • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. UBS plans to cut over half of Credit Suisse workforce due to a takeover.
  2. Visa acquires Brazilian fintech Pismo in a $1B deal with notable clients like Citi and N26.
  3. Goldman Sachs considers moving Apple credit card and savings products to American Express after losses.

Apple’s fintech strategy; FedNow is under the "radar" of Stripe; 2023 Business payments barometer;

Fintech Wrap Up • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Apple has experienced significant growth in its fintech offerings through partnerships and products like Apple Pay and Apple Card.
  2. FIS acquired the BaaS startup Bond, showcasing continued consolidation in the fintech industry.
  3. Venmo and Cash App are facing pressure from Senate Democrats to improve security measures due to concerns about fraud and consumer protection policies.

Open Finance datasets to support small businesses; How Mastercard Plans To Beat Visa; The value of embedded banking for platforms;

Fintech Wrap Up • 0 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Open Finance goes beyond Open Banking to provide a wider range of financial data for better services and covers areas like accounting, tax data, and digital identity.
  2. Platforms can benefit greatly from embedded banking, leading to increased revenue, better data insights, and improved customer loyalty.
  3. Future retail trends are focusing on the integration of in-store and online shopping experiences, with innovations like 'Buy Now, Pay Later' to enhance trust and user experience.

ACR #20: Another one bites the dust

Africa Crypto Report (ACR) • 0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Nigerian crypto payment startup, Lazerpay, had to shut down due to funding issues
  2. Crypto startups in Africa are facing challenges in raising new funds despite the rise in cryptocurrency prices
  3. Lazerpay's closure highlights the difficulties crypto startups face in gaining adoption and securing funding

Mini deep dive on Coupang ($CPNG)

Jonah’s Growth Stocks • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Fintech
  1. Coupang's one-day delivery network gives it a strong competitive advantage in South Korea.
  2. Coupang is diversifying beyond e-commerce into fintech, food delivery, streaming, and advertising.
  3. Coupang has achieved profitability on EBITDA and net income basis while generating significant free cash flow.