~chris-skinner-s-blo | Bookmarks (178)

This week’s main blog discussions include … The regulation versus innovation debate continues I just attended two events – one fintech and one regulatory. The contrast could not have been more different. The fintech event was buzzing with activity and youth; the regulatory event was very serious and full of suits. It reminded me of... The post The Finanser’s Week: 12th May – 18th...

Having been back in the regulatory space again recently, it reminded me of a comment made by one European Commissioner when discussing MiFID back in the day. Over drinks, we were debating the wording and detail and he said: “the point is not to get all member states to comply … the point is to... The post Equivalence + Proportionality + Subsidiarity = ?...

Things we’re reading today include … US reportedly plans to slash bank rules imposed to prevent 2008-style crash Largest US crypto exchange says cost of recent cyber-attack could reach $400m | US crime Cross-border cryptocurrency and stablecoin flows dissected in BIS paper Crypto Regulation Accelerates Worldwide, with Europe at the Forefront Bank of London Investigated... The post Things worth reading: 16th May 2025 appeared...

It is notable that a few challenger neobanks are expanding footprint into telecoms, namely Revolut and N26. N26 joins Revolut in disrupting the telecommunications market The interesting thing here is that there have been many telco’s trying to move into banking – think Orange – and vice versa, but it rarely works. Orange checks out... The post As #Revolut and #N26 move into mobile,...

Things we’re reading today include: ‘Significant doubt’ revealed over Bank of London’s ability to keep operating The Future Of Cryptocurrency: A 10-Year Forecast | ABC Money How Donald Trump’s Crypto Dealings Push the Bounds of Corruption | The New Yorker Trump’s cryptocurrency endeavor caps a political career filled with conflicts of interest London’s Fintech FOMO:... The post Things worth reading: 15th May 2025 appeared...

I just attended two events – one fintech and one regulatory. The contrast could not have been more different. The fintech event was buzzing with activity and youth; the regulatory event was very serious and full of suits. It reminded me of my old days dodging between Money2020 and Sibos. The thing about the regulatory... The post The regulation versus innovation debate continues appeared...

Things we’re reading today include … Cryptocurrency boss’s daughter escapes kidnap gang in Paris Investor Kidnapped, Driven to Remote Desert and Robbed of $4,000,000 in Cryptocurrency by Teenagers The bank ‘vanity project’ loved by Reeves but causing chaos for customers CMA warns of ‘underlying weakness’ at Starling Bank Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ proposes a MAGA... The post Things worth reading: May 14th 2025 appeared...

As with all stages of constant change, there comes a moment of crisis. Many say that crisis means threat and opportunity based upon a Chinese legend. That legend is that crisis in China is a proverb which states that “crisis is an opportunity riding a dangerous wind”. It’s very true. Riding the dangerous wind (骑着危险的狂风)... The post The AI crisis: a big threat and...

Things we’re reading today include … How close are we to seeing crypto payments in day-to-day life? Dice rolled over plan to make old Daventry bank a casino Data Security Critical Regardless of Open Banking Rule’s Fate McKinsey: MENA fintech’s ascent Zilch: UK’s fastest-growing fintech unicorn balloons customer base BoE launches ‘AI Consortium’ as new... The post Things worth reading: 13th May 2025 appeared...

For no particular reason, I was reflecting on being a boomer the other day. Probably it was to do with the speed of change. After all, when I was a lad, there was no tech at home. I played with Batman and James Bond Corgi toys – which I still do – and that was... The post OK Boomer! appeared first on Chris Skinner's...

Things we’re reading today include: Monzo lines up bankers to spearhead blockbuster £6bn float Santander rejects NatWest’s nearly $15 billion bid for UK retail unit, FT reports Germany shutters major crypto exchange, seizes €34 million in assets Co-founder of Celsius sentenced to 12 years in prison for ‘orchestrating one of the biggest frauds in the... The post Things worth reading: 12th May 2025 appeared...

This week’s main blog discussions include … How China’s banks and fintechs are using AI to leapfrog the world For quite a while, I have been amazed by China’s innovations in fintech from Ant to WeBank. My first visit to a Chinese bank in the 1990s, they were using Abacuses to calculate transactions; now they... The post The Finanser’s Week: 5th May – 11th...

Having blogged yesterday about China leapfrogging the world of finance through AI, there are alternative views, particularly in the Big Tech world. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says AI generates ‘fantastic’ Python code, and that it now creates ‘maybe 20 – 30% of the code … in some of our projects’ In a fireside chat with... The post Who needs coders when we have AI?...

Things we’re reading today include … Revolut, Monzo and Wise: The UK fintechs slapped with the most complaints One in five Brits approached by money launderers – how to protect yourself US Federal Reserve warns of the growing threat of stagflation as trade war bites Bill Gates speeds up plans to give away his fortune... The post Things worth reading: 9th May 2025 appeared...

For quite a while, I have been amazed by China’s innovations in fintech from Ant to WeBank. My first visit to a Chinese bank in the 1990s, they were using Abacuses to calculate transactions; now they use rocket science in the form of AI. A lot of this was covered in depth in the deep... The post How China’s banks and fintechs are using...

Things we’re reading today include … US central bank: Trump tariffs causing ‘great deal of uncertainty’ Why are the Democrats greenlighting Trump’s crypto plans? Bitcoin Hits Record High Amidst Rising Cryptocurrency Market Activity Revolut and Lightspark Join Forces to Speed Bitcoin Payments Bristol-headquartered bank wins Royal seal of approval for sustainability eToro seeks to raise... The post Things worth reading: 8th May 2025 appeared...

I was struck by a post on LinkedIn by Eleanor Hill, who focuses on treasury systems, reflecting on what has changed in the past decade. She mentions five things, as that was what was asked, namely: AI for everyone APIs and real-time treasury The return of active risk management The ESG rollercoaster DEI for better decision-making... The post You do know that money isn’t real,...

Things we’re reading today include … IT guy let lover into Deutsche Bank datacenter Complaints about banks soared 76% in past year European tech funding falls 42% in April as fintech leads investment volume Santander to make huge change to bank accounts in DAYS impacting 14million customers AI regulation needs global cooperation, not isolated moves... The post Things worth reading: 7th May 2025 appeared...

In a regular theme, there is a big question in my mind: what is the future of main street? Sure, Brits call it the High Street, but the more we digitalise, the less we need physical structures. Whether it be stores and shops or offices and companies, we all need to recognise that the world... The post People have been predicting the end of...

Things we’re reading today include … French police investigate spate of cryptocurrency millionaire kidnappings 1 Top Cryptocurrency to Buy Before It Soars 13,616% Mentions of ‘cryptocurrency’ and ‘stablecoins’ in SEC filings hit record high in April Fintech Tide seeks more than $1bn valuation in share sale Ant Group in Talks for International Unit IPO in... The post Things worth reading: 6th May 2025 appeared...

Dealing with financial abuse It only came to my attention recently in talking about these things with those trying to solve the issues is that financial abuse is as prominent as domestic abuse. If you beat up your partner, you can see the physical bruises; but what about if you coercively control your partner or... The post Can fintech protect the vulnerable? appeared first...

Things we’re reading today include … Rachel Reeves has promised UK fintech the world – now she must deliver ‘Act of war’: Warren Buffett is rocking financial world with a new Trump warning Warren Buffett shocks investors by announcing retirement from Berkshire Hathaway at the end of the year New fintech trends reshape digital finance... The post Things worth reading: 5th May 2025 appeared...

This week’s main blog discussions include … What would you do if you lost a billion dollars? Whilst walking the dog, I’ve been entertained by a fascinating series of podcasts on BBC Sounds called Fool’s Gold. It tells the story of two detectorists – folks who search everywhere using metal detectors – who found gold... The post The Finanser’s Week: 28th April – 4th...

Whilst walking the dog, I’ve been entertained by a fascinating series of podcasts on BBC Sounds called Fool’s Gold. It tells the story of two detectorists – folks who search everywhere using metal detectors – who found gold dating back to the 8th century. Very rare gold. 300 or more coins plus some jewellery. It’s... The post What would you do if you lost...