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Blockstream secures $266 million CAD at $4 billion valuation to monetize the Liquid Network (BETAKIT)
With years invested in building its sidechain-based settlement network, Blockstream has raised significant funding to continue to blend the worlds of finance and industrial Bitcoin mining.
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A $2 billion FinTech startup has become Africa’s fastest unicorn (QUARTZ)
In less than three years, OPay has gone from a curious startup known for its motorcycles in Lagos, Nigeria, to a financial services company worth $2 billion.
Flinks CEO says Montreal FinTech has “grand plans” as National Bank takes majority stake (BETAKIT)
Leboeuf said Flinks has “grand plans,” starting with expanding its product offering in analytics and data enrichment, and growing its market share in the wealth and lending spaces.
Ramp raises $300M at a $3.9B valuation, makes its first acquisition (TECHCRUNCH)
Founders Fund led the latest round, which brings the FinTech’s total equity and debt raised to date to over $625 million since its March 2019 inception.
Figment secures $50 million to build up PoS infrastructure (BETAKIT)
The company’s Series B round follows its $2.5 million seed raise last October.
Why payment apps that thrive in India struggle to succeed in Mexico (REST OF WORLD)
Over the years, Mexico has remained stubbornly wedded to cash, causing even e-commerce juggernauts to buckle and improvise.
FIX4 Capital raises $7.2 million to expand car repair lending service (BETAKIT)
Since its launch, the startup claims it has helped hundreds of drivers access car repairs.
Tax reporting proposal creates a defining moment for the crypto industry (CNBC)
A small section of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that would place new tax reporting requirements on the cryptocurrency industry has generated a wave of lobbying.
Graph Blockchain acquires Optimum Coin Analyser for $5 million (BETAKIT)
Graph has paid $5 million in a share exchange agreement, issuing an aggregate of nearly 71.5 million units in the capital of Graph, at a price of $0.07 per unit.
Brex targets start-up loan market with new $150 million debt service (CNBC)
Brex, which ranked No. 6 on this year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list, offers start-ups high credit lines and software to manage their finances and credit lines.
Coinberry second crypto asset dealer to receive regulatory approval by OSC (BETAKIT)
The decision comes almost one year to the day after Canadian FinTech leader Wealthsimple received the first such order.
The crypto dons of Beirut (REST OF WORLD)
Meet the men making a killing in Lebanon’s underground cryptocurrency market.
Neo Financial prepares to open innovation hub in Winnipeg (BETAKIT)
Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, told BetaKit, “It’s a great day,” adding that Neo’s choice to lease in the city continues to build out Winnipeg’s tech sector.
How Brazilian FinTech Cora raises $116M Series B as Tiger Global, Tencent sign on as investors alongside Greenoaks (TECHCRUNCH)
The company wasn’t actively in the market, according to CEO and co-founder Igor Senra, but was approached by existing backer Greenoaks and other investors.
