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Startups Weekly: Musk raises $6 billion for AI, and the fintech dominoes are falling

FinCrypt Staff

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Startups Weekly: Musk raises $6 billion for AI, and the fintech dominoes are falling

Welcome to Startups Weekly — HajeThe weekly summary of everything you can’t miss from the world of startups. Registration Here to receive it in your inbox every Friday.

In a twist that shocks absolutely no one and excites arsonists who love to watch money burn, Elon Musk’s new venture, xAI, has secured $6 billion in casual funding. Valor, a16z and Sequoia are stacking money on the xAI-shaped roulette table, with Musk spinning the wheel.

Ivan ponders whether Musk is last market coup will finally bring us artificial intelligence so advanced that our puny human brain will be even more obsolete than it already is thanks to its other crazy projects.

I think he’s completely out of his mind. These investors appear to be overflowing with liquidity and have just emerged from skepticism. I can just imagine the tone: “Imagine an AI so powerful it makes HAL 9000 look like a Roomba.” And, of course, they threw money at it. Because, well… Honestly, I can’t see the logic in it.

What makes this especially crazy is that the $6 billion windfall is just the latest chapter in Musk’s epic saga of “how to get the world to fund my sci-fi fantasies.” The more stories that come out about Musk, the more you’d think people would start to hesitate before investing. But as it turns out, this is why I’m a newsletter writer and podcast host (we talked about that on equity today so) and not a VC. I would think twice about betting on the guy who gave it to us self-driving cars that can’t spot fire trucks and spacecraft that sometimes land but also sometimes they explode into a fiery display.

Today is your last day to save up to $800 on your Disrupt pass. Book your advance subscription by 11:59pm PT tonight!

The most interesting startup stories of the week

Welcome to the wild, wild west of fintech! Remember that bright star called Synapse? Yes, it was a supernova. Startup banking-as-a-service was one segment that seemed to be one careening towards the stratosphere, and Synapse itself was supported by a16z, but that didn’t help anyone. THE the company collapsed faster than my New Year’s resolutions. With 10 million consumers now left in the lurch and many fintechs scrambling to pick up the pieces, it’s a real catastrophe out there. It’s like “Game of Thrones” but with more spreadsheets and fewer dragons. If you thought your week was rough, spare a thought for those who are stuck trying to access their funds or save their jobs thanks to this chaos. Fasten your seatbelts: it’s going to be a bumpy ride for fintech!

  • The drama is in motion: James Khatiblou, the 37-year-old owner and CEO of Onyx Motorcycles, died just as his company was going down the drain. With unpaid bills, an absent COO, angry customers demanding refunds for overdue Chinese electric bikes, and two former shareholders fighting for control over Onyx’s remaining assets… This is an incredible ride.
  • Job cuts in the automotive sector Earth: Lucid Motors is trimming the fat once again, laying off 400 employees (6% of its workforce) just in time for the launch of their first SUV. Apparently, they need to “optimize resources”. CEO Peter Rawlinson believes so fewer employees will help make the best SUV in the world … In the meantime, Fisker has laid off hundreds of people in a desperate attempt to survive. Employees got the hint when they were suddenly told to work from home, presumably so that no one could hear the collective sighs of despair at the all-hands meeting.
  • Collect money to save money: The relay just tripped a $32.2 million Series B funding round to help small businesses do more than just nervously refresh their bank balances. Their secret sauce? Focusing on mom-and-pop shops rather than tech startups — take it, Silicon Valley!

Synapse has fueled tons of other startups. Until it wasn’t. Image credits: Synapses

This week’s most interesting fundraisers

Firefly, the cloud asset management startup that aims to simplify digital chaos with “infrastructure as code,” has done so obtained financing of 23 million dollars. This comes after an unimaginable tragedy: Co-founder CTO Joseph “Sefi” Genis was killed by Hamas during a music festival. Despite this, the Firefly team chose resilience over retreat and went on to quadruple their revenue in 2023. So, in essence, Firefly is now untangling the complexities of the cloud and navigating through real-world turbulence like absolute champions.

  • Is fantastic: Google just launched a casual $350 million in Flipkartmaking him the latest VIP to back the Indian e-commerce powerhouse, which now has a valuation of $36 billion.
  • Get a dinero! Get a dinero!: Sending money home just got a lot more talked about! Félix Pago, the fintech darling who makes remittances as easy as sending a WhatsApp, that’s it has obtained funding of 15.5 million dollars. Forget about downloading apps or navigating complex interfaces; this startup uses the WhatsApp chatbot.
  • A dictionary with a unicorn horn: More funding is being poured into AI-focused startups. DeepL, which creates automated text translation and writing tools that compete with the likes of Google Translate and Grammarly, raised another $300 million. It is now valued at $2 billion.

Image credits: Anindito Mukherjee/Bloomberg/Getty Images

More must-see stories from TechCrunch…

Dreaming of a tech IPO bonanza in 2024? Well, wake up and smell high interest rates! Even though Reddit, Astera Labs, Ibotta, and Rubrik managed to break down the IPO door earlier this year, it seems like most startups are still stuck at home in their pajamas. Plaid’s CEO said they will remain private for now, and Figma and Stripe are busy with public offerings as if they were holding a bake sale instead of preparing for an IPO. Databricks raised $500 million but isn’t even feeling the public market vibes; maybe next year they will feel more extroverted. And Canva? They may take so long to be made public that by then we’ll be designing newsletters straight from our brain implants. Stay tuned as TechCrunch continues to do so monitor which startups will challenge the stock market runway or stay hidden behind the curtains of their venture capital!

Other top stories:

  • What is happening in the land of messengers: Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, has had enough of the tech industry’s “frat boys” and their “dorm room highs.” At VivaTech in Paris, he didn’t hold back his concerns on everything from US companies’ takeover of artificial intelligence to the EU’s misguided attempts at regulation.
  • Artificial intelligence in your ears: Welcome to the battle of generative AI gadgets, now with Iyo’s GenAI earphones! Humane and Rabbit R1 flopped harder than a fish out of water, but Iyo thinks we can succeed where they have stumbled. Unlike its predecessors’ bizarre pins and overpriced handhelds that critics said should have been apps-only, Iyo is betting on an already beloved form factor: Bluetooth earbuds.
  • Dude, where’s my wallet?: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Stax Ledger, finally descending from the cryptocurrency skies 18 months after his big announcement. This new one high-end hardware wallet it features an E Ink display designed by iPod guru Tony Fadell—yes, they’re bringing back the vibrations of e-readers for your encryption needs.
  • Wait, Foursquare had 105 employees to fire?: Quattroquadrato just laid off 105 employees in an attempt to “streamline” operations and place themselves on a more solid financial footing. CEO Gary Little, who might as well have hit Enter and then vanished into thin air, hasn’t shed much light on what comes next.
  • Let me summarize it for you: It looks like Apple is back to its old tricks, ready to “sherlock” another innovative feature into the app. This time, it’s The Browser Company’s Arc that’s in the crosshairs with its nifty AI summary tools like “browse for me” and “pinch to summarize.” Apple’s supposed “smart summaries” in iOS 18 look suspiciously similarpotentially transforming Safari into a one-stop shop for AI-powered summaries of everything from web pages to missed notifications.

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We are the editorial team of FinCrypt, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on FinCrypt, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

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Fintech

US Agencies Request Information on Bank-Fintech Dealings

FinCrypt Staff

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Summer Trading Network 2016

Federal banking regulators have issued a statement reminding banks of the potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to provide bank deposit products and services.

The agencies support responsible innovation and banks that engage in these arrangements in a safe and fair manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements may offer benefits, supervisory experience has identified a number of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer concerns with the management of these arrangements. The statement details potential risks and provides examples of effective risk management practices for these arrangements. Additionally, the statement reminds banks of existing legal requirements, guidance, and related resources and provides insights that the agencies have gained through their oversight. The statement does not establish new supervisory expectations.

Separately, the agencies requested additional information on a broad range of arrangements between banks and fintechs, including for deposit, payment, and lending products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of arrangements between banks and fintechs and effective risk management practices.

The agencies are considering whether to take additional steps to ensure that banks effectively manage the risks associated with these different types of arrangements.

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What changes in financial regulation have impacted the development of financial technology?

FinCrypt Staff

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Block Telegraph Staff

Exploring the complex landscape of global financial regulation, we gather insights from leading fintech leaders, including CEOs and finance experts. From the game-changing impact of PSD2 to the significant role of GDPR in data security, explore the four key regulatory changes that have reshaped fintech development, answering the question: “What changes in financial regulation have impacted fintech development?”

  • PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
  • GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
  • Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
  • GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology

When it comes to regulatory impact on fintech development, nothing comes close to PSD2. This EU regulation has created a new level playing field for market players of all sizes, from fintech startups to established banks. It has had a ripple effect on other markets around the world, inspiring similar regulatory frameworks and driving global innovation in fintech.

The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the EU law in force since 2018, has revolutionized the fintech industry by requiring banks to provide third-party payment providers (TPPs) with access to payment services and customer account information via open APIs. This has democratized access to financial data, fostering the development of personalized financial instruments and seamless payment solutions. Advanced security measures such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) have increased consumer trust, pushing both fintech companies and traditional banks to innovate and collaborate more effectively, resulting in a dynamic and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.

The impact of PSD2 has extended beyond the EU, inspiring similar regulations around the world. Countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada have launched their own open banking initiatives, spurred by the benefits seen in the EU. PSD2 has highlighted the benefits of open banking, also prompting US financial institutions and fintech companies to explore similar initiatives voluntarily.

This has led to a global wave of fintech innovation, with financial institutions and fintech companies offering more integrated, personalized and secure services. The EU’s leadership in open banking through PSD2 has set a global standard, promoting regulatory harmonization and fostering an interconnected and innovative global financial ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the EU’s PSD3 proposals and Financial Data Access (FIDA) regulations promise to further advance open banking. PSD3 aims to refine and build on PSD2, with a focus on improving transaction security, fraud prevention, and integration between banks and TPPs. FIDA will expand data sharing beyond payment accounts to include areas such as insurance and investments, paving the way for more comprehensive financial products and services.

These developments are set to further enhance connectivity, efficiency and innovation in financial services, cementing open banking as a key component of the global financial infrastructure.

Sebastian Malczyk

General Manager, Technology and Product Consultant Fintech, Insurtech, Miquido

GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy

Privacy and data protection have been taken to another level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), forcing fintech companies to tighten their data management. In compliance with the GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is processed fairly, transparently, and securely.

This has led to increased innovation in fintech towards technologies such as encryption and anonymization for data protection. GDPR was described as a top priority in the data protection strategies of 92% of US-based companies surveyed by PwC.

Arid Islam

Financial Expert, Sterlinx Global

Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation

Since the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pioneered sandbox regulatory frameworks in 2016 to enable fintech startups to explore new products and services, similar frameworks have been introduced in other countries.

This has reduced the “crippling effect on innovation” caused by a “one size fits all” regulatory approach, which would also require machines to be built to complete regulatory compliance before any testing. Successful applications within sandboxes give regulators the confidence to move forward and address gaps in laws, regulations, or supervisory approaches. This has led to widespread adoption of new technologies and business models and helped channel private sector dynamism, while keeping consumers protected and imposing appropriate regulatory requirements.

George Blandford

Co-founder, UK Linkology

GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

A big change in financial regulations that has had a real impact on fintech is the 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I have seen how GDPR has pushed us to focus more on user privacy and data security.

GDPR means we have to handle personal data much more carefully. At Leverage, we have had to step up our game to meet these new rules. We have improved our data encryption and started doing regular security audits. It was a little tricky at first, but it has made our systems much more secure.

For example, we’ve added features that give users more control over their data, like simple consent tools and clear privacy notices. These changes have helped us comply with GDPR and made our customers feel more confident in how we handle their information.

I believe that GDPR has made fintech companies, including us at Leverage, more transparent and secure. It has helped build trust with our users, showing them that we take data protection seriously.

Dr. Rhett Stubbendeck

CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning

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M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

FinCrypt Staff

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M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

Application Programming Interface (API) Infrastructure Platform M2P Financial Technology has reached the final round to raise $80 million, at a valuation of $900 million.

Specifically, M2P Fintech, formerly known as Yap, is closing a new funding round involving new and existing investors, according to entrackr.com. The India-based company, which last raised funding two and a half years ago, previously secured $56 million in a round led by Insight Partners, earning a post-money valuation of $650 million.

A source indicated that M2P Fintech is ready to raise $80 million in this new funding round, led by a new investor. Existing backers, including Insight Partners, are also expected to participate. The new funding is expected to go toward enhancing the company’s technology infrastructure and driving growth in domestic and international markets.

What does M2P Fintech do?

M2P Fintech’s API platform enables businesses to provide branded financial services through partnerships with fintech companies while maintaining regulatory compliance. In addition to its operations in India, the company is active in Nepal, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Bahrain, Egypt, and many other countries.

Another source revealed that M2P Fintech’s valuation in this funding round is expected to be between USD 880 million and USD 900 million (post-money). The company has reportedly received a term sheet and the deal is expected to be publicly announced soon. The Tiger Global-backed company has acquired six companies to date, including Goals101, Syntizen, and BSG ITSOFT, to enhance its service offerings.

According to TheKredible, Beenext is the company’s largest shareholder with over 13% ownership, while the co-founders collectively own 34% of the company. Although M2P Fintech has yet to release its FY24 financials, it has reported a significant increase in operating revenue. However, this growth has also been accompanied by a substantial increase in losses.

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Scottish financial technology firm Aveni secures £11m to expand AI offering

FinCrypt Staff

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Aveni, Investment Management, AI, NLP, UK

By Gloria Methri

Today

  • To come
  • Aveni Assistance
  • Aveni Detection

Artificial intelligence Financial Technology Aveni has announced one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish company this year, amounting to £11 million. The investment is led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Par Equity, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide.

Aveni combines AI expertise with extensive financial services experience to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry. It is trusted by some of the UK’s leading financial services firms. It has seen significant business growth over the past two years through its conformity and productivity solutions, Aveni Detect and Aveni Assist.

This investment will enable Aveni to build on the success of its existing products, further consolidate its presence in the sector and introduce advanced technologies through FinLLM, a large-scale language model specifically for financial services.

FinLLM is being developed in partnership with new investors Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide. It is a large, industry-aligned language model that aims to set the standard for transparent, responsible and ethical adoption of generative AI in UK financial services.

Following the investment, the team developing the FinLLM will be based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, in a state-of-the-art facility.

Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveniexplained, “The financial services industry doesn’t need AI models that can quote Shakespeare; it needs AI models that deliver transparency, trust, and most importantly, fairness. The way to achieve this is to develop small, highly tuned language models, trained on financial services data, and reviewed by financial services experts for specific financial services use cases. Generative AI is the most significant technological evolution of our generation, and we are in the early stages of adoption. This represents a significant opportunity for Aveni and our partners. The goal with FinLLM is to set a new standard for the controlled, responsible, and ethical adoption of generative AI, outperforming all other generic models in our select financial services use cases.”

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