| Mastercard Tops 20174Q Views on Robust Cross-Border Transactions Holiday spend was up, and the U.S. consumer is confident, but it was the international stage that dominated Mastercardâs 4Q results. With double-digit cross-border and digital strategy intact, Mastercard looks for more of the same this year â and even gives a nod (of sorts) to cryptocurrencies. |
| B2B FinTech Turns Away From VCs For Funds This week was not, by any means, the biggest week in B2B FinTech venture capital. A modest $33.7 million in venture capital landed among corporate accounting, supply chain management and SaaS firms. But a closer look at the companies that landed new funds this week also reveals some firms turning to sources other than venture capitalists for their funds, including an alternative small business lending platform and a blockchain company. |
| | Blockchain | | Why Blockchain's Growing Pains Could Benefit Underbanked SMBs There are an estimated 1.6 billion underbanked individuals on the planet, many of whom run their own small businesses â and many across the Asia Pacific region. Tan Tran, CEO of holding company Vemanti Group, says thatâs a huge opportunity for innovative financial services, and a motivation behind Vemantiâs investments in blockchain companies. The technology is going through some growing pains, he recently told PYMNTS, especially as regulation comes into the mix. But Trans notes that this will ultimately be a good thing for blockchain and underbanked SMBs â he explores how. |
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