1. Fiserv acquires Payfare in $147M deal
Fiserv enhances its fintech portfolio by acquiring Canadian earned wage access firm Payfare for $147 million. The move strengthens its position in digital payments. Fintech Futures
2. CFPB sues Zelle operator over fraud
The CFPB has sued Zelle’s operator and major banks, citing rampant fraud on the payment platform. The case highlights regulatory scrutiny in fintech. Fintech Futures
3. US fintech raises $30M in Series B
US-based Fintech Bureau secured $30 million in Series B funding led by Sorenson Capital to expand its innovative financial solutions. Fintech Futures
4. Revenue-based financing thrives in MENA
Startups in the MENA region continue to raise capital through revenue-based financing, demonstrating the model’s strong suitability for emerging markets. TechCrunch
5. Singapore, Hong Kong lead blockchain rankings
Singapore and Hong Kong top global blockchain innovation rankings, bolstering their reputations as hubs for cryptocurrency and decentralized finance advancements. Cointelegraph
6. South Korea hits 15 million crypto holders
South Korea now boasts over 15 million cryptocurrency holders, highlighting the country’s growing adoption of digital assets amid a favorable regulatory environment. Cointelegraph
7. Aave explores MEV fee-sharing with Chainlink
Aave is considering integrating Chainlink’s solutions to redistribute Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) fees, enhancing transparency and fairness in DeFi transactions. Cointelegraph
8. Bitcoin ETFs face $340M outflows
US spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced $340 million in net outflows, reflecting continued volatility and investor caution in the crypto market. The Block
9. Rune transactions on Bitcoin hit record lows
Rune’s transaction volume on the Bitcoin network has dropped to historic lows, raising questions about its sustainability in decentralized finance. The Block
10. Crypto OTC desks report trading surge
Crypto OTC desks are experiencing a boom in trading volumes, indicating strong demand for large-scale transactions amid market volatility. The Block
11. Israeli regulator approves Bitcoin mutual funds
The Israeli Securities Authority greenlights six Bitcoin mutual funds, set to launch by December 31, signaling increased institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies. The Block
12. Ripple exec criticizes SEC on Christmas
A Ripple executive takes a jab at the SEC, highlighting regulatory hurdles during the holiday season, amid ongoing legal battles over XRP’s classification. U.Today
13. Vitalik Buterin warns of AGI risks
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin cautions against the rapid development of Artificial General Intelligence, emphasizing its potential existential threats. U.Today
14. $698M in Ethereum exits Turkish exchange
Nearly $698 million in Ethereum was withdrawn from a top Turkish crypto exchange, potentially linked to Turkey’s improving crypto regulatory climate. U.Today
15. XRP Ledger hits 93M ledger milestone
The XRP Ledger surpasses 93 million ledgers, marking a significant achievement for the decentralized network supporting XRP transactions. U.Today
16. $20M RLU moved into crypto market
Approximately $20 million RLU has been swiftly transferred, sparking speculation about its market impact. U.Today
17. Michael Saylor praises Bitcoin’s Xmas rally
MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor celebrates Bitcoin’s Christmas rally, dubbing it the “best gift,” underscoring his unwavering support for the cryptocurrency. U.Today
18. BonkDAO aims to burn $535M tokens
BonkDAO announces a “Burnmas” campaign to destroy $535 million worth of BONK tokens, aiming to stabilize the token’s value. Decrypt
19. Matador uses Bitcoin as treasury reserve
Matador Technologies adopts Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, showcasing growing corporate adoption of cryptocurrency. Decrypt
20. Telegram surpasses $1 billion in revenue
Telegram hits a milestone, exceeding $1 billion in revenue in 2024, cementing its position as a leading messaging platform. Decrypt
21. Apple defends Google payments in court
Apple seeks to defend Google’s billion-dollar payments for search prominence, facing increased scrutiny in antitrust investigations. Economic Times
22. MediaTek launches Dimensity 8400 chipset
MediaTek debuts the Dimensity 8400 5G chipset, offering premium smartphone features, including generative AI capabilities. Economic Times
23. Chinese brands struggle in India’s premium market
Chinese smartphone makers face challenges breaking into India’s premium market, which remains dominated by Apple and Samsung. Economic Times
24. Nvidia powers India’s AI mission
Nvidia dominates GPU offerings in India’s $1.2 billion AI mission, driving advancements in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Economic Times
25. Vietnam enforces sweeping internet law
Vietnam’s new internet law comes into effect, imposing stricter controls on online content and raising concerns about digital freedoms. Economic Times
26. Netflix sues VMware over patent issues
Netflix has filed a lawsuit against Broadcom’s VMware, accusing it of infringing on US patents related to virtual machine technology. Economic Times
27. 5G APIs to drive telco monetization
Capgemini highlights network APIs as a critical enabler for 5G monetization, helping telcos capitalize on the growing demand for advanced connectivity. Economic Times
