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Ontario government launches $3 million pilot project with Lending Loop for small business loans (BETAKIT)
The project will help fund over $30 million in loans to Ontario businesses.
Trusted Key Solutions raises $3 million for blockchain digital identity
(VENTURE BEAT)
Trusted Key, which wants to combine blockchain with smartphones and cryptography, raised the money from Founders Co-Op, with participation from Pithia.
Holdun investment firm launches FinTech accelerator in Montreal (BETAKIT)
Open to 10 companies around the world, the accelerator promises to provide partners, training, mentorship, and investment.
Andra Capital launches blockchain-based fund via Silicon Valley Coin
(VENTURE BEAT)
The Andra Fund is tokenized and uses blockchain technology to enable broader access to investors around the globe.
Should FinTech startups start shifting social media funds to traditional media? (ADWEEK)
For financial technology and pretty much every other industry, social media is no longer just an extra step that gives you an edge over your competitors, but a must-have tool for marketing, customer service and public relations.
Western Union now accepts WeChat on its GlobalPay For Students platform (PYMNTS)
Western Union said accepting WeChat will enable academic institutions to offer Chinese students studying abroad more choices in payment options, including WeChat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay and Tenpay.
#BCTECHSummit speaker Wellington Sculley explains how blockchain will benefit the Canadian economy(BETAKIT)
The friction of cross-border payments is a constraint on global trade and commerce. Blockchain could change that.
TransferWise founder Taavet Hinrikus invests in FinTech chatbot Cleo (TECHCRUNCH)
“It’s a proactive bank, it’s a bank that talks to you, and tells you on a Monday morning, ‘hey, you know, you can spend £100 this week’. And that’s really valuable for these people,” says Hinrikus.
IBM acquires Armanta for Watson Financial Services portfolio
(PYMNTS)
The acquisition will enable IBM to better manage regulatory mandates by using a common aggregation and reporting solution across multiple risk systems.
Mogo reaches 600,000 members (BETAKIT)
The company said it added 22 percent more members in Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017, and that 70 percent of its new users are millennials.
Mastercard develops micro SMB financing solution with Unilever (PYMNTS)
According to Mastercard and Unilever, the initiative addresses a key challenge for banks that traditionally need formal credit history or collateral in order to extend credit.
Baidu brings group of PE firms into its financial services business via $1.9B investment (TECHCRUNCH)
“This transaction marks another milestone for Baidu to incubate new businesses with large opportunities and strong synergies with Baidu’s core business, on the heels of iQiyi’s public listing,” said Robin Li, chairman and CEO of Baidu.
