1. Just 13 fintech deals close this week
Fintech deals are slowing down as 2024 comes to a close, with only 13 deals reported this week, reflecting the seasonal dip in fintech activity. Fintech Global
2. Worldline partners with Forthcode for in-flight payments in India
Worldline has partnered with Forthcode to launch Android-based in-flight payment solutions in India, enhancing payment options for travelers. Worldline
3. Upbound and Brigit merge to boost financial innovation
Upbound and Brigit have merged to improve consumer financial engagement and foster greater innovation in fintech services. Fintech Global
4. Torus raises capital to enhance card payment transparency
SaaS platform Torus has raised new funding to revolutionize card payment transparency, aiming to improve data clarity and reduce fraud risks. Fintech Global
5. Payment Cards Group partners with Black Bear Merchant Services
Payment Cards Group has teamed up with Black Bear Merchant Services to launch a new payment solution under the AbbyPay brand. Finextra
6. Bitget opens European hub to expand presence
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has established a European hub, signaling its intent to broaden its market reach across the region. Finextra
7. Mesh Payments partners with SoFi and Galileo for innovation
Mesh Payments has teamed up with SoFi Bank and Galileo to enhance travel and expense management solutions, driving innovation in corporate payments. Business Wire
8. Standard Chartered signs reserve management deal with Paxos
Standard Chartered has inked a deal with Paxos to manage reserves for stablecoins, marking a significant step in the integration of blockchain with traditional banking. Finextra
9. Visa Direct competes with transfer speed in real-time payments
Visa Direct is positioning itself as a strong competitor in the real-time payments sector, focusing on fast, secure transfer speeds for businesses and consumers. eMarketer
10. Thailand should study crypto to stay relevant, says former PM
Former Thai Prime Minister urges the country to closely study cryptocurrencies to ensure it remains competitive in the global digital economy. CoinTelegraph