Nasdaq wants to put your Apple & Tesla shares on the blockchain 👀⛓️; Revolut breaks into $40B UAE payment market 📲🇦🇪; eToro accelerates M&A strategy following successful IPO 💸🚀
You're missing out big time... Weekly Recap 🔁
👋 Hey, Linas here! Welcome back to a 🔓 weekly free edition 🔓 of my daily newsletter. Each day, I focus on 3 stories that are making a difference in the financial technology space. Coupled with things worth watching & most important money movements, it’s the only newsletter you need for all things when Finance meets Tech.
If you’re not a subscriber, here’s what you missed this week:
The Ultimate List of Resources about Stablecoins 🪙 [your one-stop resource list for understanding the most disruptive force in global finance]
280+ AI Tools You Should Know 📚🤖 [from automation to creativity - this is your toolkit for working smarter, not harder]
Agents 20: Top AI Agent Startups of 2025 🤖💸 [these AI Agent startups are defining 2025. Find who's backing them, unlock their exclusive pitch decks, and learn from the best]
Wall Street's $4.3 trillion banking giant is coming for Europe's FinTech darlings 🏦🇩🇪 [what it’s all about, why it matters & why FinTechs should take notice + bonus deep dive into JPM inside]
Klarna’s $15B IPO, or a 26x oversubscribed feeding frenzy on Wall St. for Europe's biggest FinTech comeback 👏🤑 [what it’s all about, why it matters & what to expect next + bonus deep dive into Klarna’s IPO filing & why you should be bullish on them]
Robinhood transforms into Social Trading Platform, challenging eToro, Reddit, 𝕏, and traditional finance 😳📈 [what’s the USP here, why it’s actually brilliant & why it makes me even more bullish on HOOD 0.00%↑ + bonus deep dives into Robinhood’s, eToro’s latest financials & Elon’s Super App ambitions]
Walmart's mobile plans and further Super App push 📲🏦 [what’s the USP here, why it matters & what’s next for Walmart’s OnePay + more reads inside]
Fireblocks enters stablecoin payment infrastructure race 😳🪙 [what’s the USP here & why it’s interesting + bonus dive into Stripe’s Tempo & the ultimate list of stables resources inside]
Chime’s new credit card lets you earn cash back while building credit 🤔💳 [what’s the USP here & what it means for Chime + bonus deep dive into Chime’s first earnings as a public company]
Lloyds acquires struggling FinTech Curve for £120M 🤝💸 [why it’s a massive win for Lloyds, what does this indicate about the broader FinTech landscape & what to expect next + bonus list of priceless M&A templates so you wouldn’t lose $$$]
The Ultimate Private Equity Toolkit 💸🚀 [Two powerful models to value companies, maximize returns, and make smarter investment decisions]
The Ultimate B2B Growth Playbook for 2025 🚀 [nail your targeting, supercharge your outbound strategy, and close deals with confidence]
As for today, here are the 3 incredible FinTech stories that are transforming the world of financial technology as we know it. This was yet another insane week in the financial technology space, so make sure to check all the above stories.
Nasdaq wants to put your Apple & Tesla shares on the blockchain 👀⛓️
The news 🗞️ Nasdaq NDAQ 0.00%↑ has taken a decisive step toward modernizing capital markets by recently filing a comprehensive rule change proposal with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The proposal seeks to enable trading of tokenized securities directly on Nasdaq's exchange platform, thus marking a potential watershed moment for blockchain technology's integration into traditional finance.
Let’s take a look at this.
More on this 👉 The proposal, designated SR-NASDAQ-2025-072, outlines a framework where tokenized securities would operate alongside their traditional counterparts on the same order book. These digital representations would maintain identical economic rights, voting privileges, and CUSIP identifiers as conventional securities.
The Depository Trust Company would manage the critical infrastructure, converting book-entry positions into blockchain tokens while maintaining standard T+1 settlement cycles.
Zoom out 🔎 This initiative represents more than just the technical innovation - it addresses fundamental market inefficiencies.
Post-trade processing costs could decrease by 20-50% through blockchain's immutable audit trails and streamlined reconciliation processes. The technology also promises enhanced transparency, reduced settlement risks, and potential evolution toward round-the-clock trading capabilities. Member firms would simply flag orders for tokenized settlement during entry, creating an opt-in system that preserves market choice.
Nasdaq's board approved the filing on July 30, 2025, with implementation targeted for late 2026, contingent upon regulatory approval and DTC infrastructure readiness.
✈️ THE TAKEAWAY
What’s next? 🤔 First and foremost, we must note that Nasdaq's tokenization initiative positions the exchange at the forefront of a transformative shift in global capital markets. Should the SEC approve this proposal, expect accelerated adoption across competing exchanges, potentially establishing new industry standards by 2027. The immediate implications include increased trading volumes from crypto-native investors and pressure on traditional market infrastructure providers to modernize their systems. Looking ahead, this development could also catalyze broader tokenization of asset classes, from corporate bonds to real estate investment trusts. The convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology may unlock an estimated $10-16 trillion in tokenized real-world assets by 2030. For Nasdaq specifically, early mover advantage could solidify its position as the preferred venue for innovative financial products, attracting technology-forward issuers and investors. The future of finance will probably be onchain…
ICYMI: Coinbase's tokenized equity gambit: a strategic inflection point for financial markets 📈💸 [why it matters & why it’s potentially a watershed moment for finance + bonus deep dives into Coinbase & its biggest competitors]
Revolut breaks into $40 billion UAE payment market 📲🇦🇪
The news 🗞️ FinTech giant Revolut has just achieved a critical regulatory milestone in its global expansion strategy, obtaining in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates for two essential payment licenses.
This marks the UK-based digital banking giant's formal entry into one of the world's most dynamic financial markets.
Let’s take a look at this.
More on this 👉 The Central Bank has granted a preliminary approval for both a Stored Value Facilities license and a Retail Payment Services (Category II) license. These authorizations will enable Revolut to issue electronic money, maintain digital wallets, and process domestic and international payments for retail customers.
The company expects to complete its full operational launch by early 2026, following final regulatory clearances.
Zoom out 🔎 The UAE represents an exceptionally attractive market for Revolut's business model. With over 88% of its 9.5 million residents being expatriates and the country processing more than $40 billion in annual remittance flows, the demand for efficient, cost-effective international payment solutions is substantial. The UAE FinTech sector itself demonstrates remarkable momentum, with projections indicating growth from $3.16 billion in 2024 to $5.71 billion by 2029. Solid!
Under the leadership of Ambareen Musa, CEO of Gulf Cooperation Council operations, Revolut has initiated an aggressive hiring campaign targeting 50 to 100 professionals in Dubai. The company has already begun localizing its platform with Arabic language support and integration with the UAE payment infrastructure, including the Instant Payment Platform.
More importantly, this expansion extends beyond the UAE borders.
The company has confirmed its intention to pursue licensing in Saudi Arabia, leveraging the UAE as a strategic hub for accessing the broader $2.5 trillion GCC economy. The timing aligns well with the region's digital transformation initiatives, including Dubai's goal of achieving 90% cashless transactions by 2026.
✈️ THE TAKEAWAY
What’s next? 🤔 First and foremost, we must note that the UAE approval could generate a 5 to 10% revenue increase within 2 years while establishing a potential $500 million revenue center by 2030. More significantly, it validates Revolut's ability to navigate complex regulatory environments outside its European stronghold, a critical factor as the company approaches its anticipated 2026 initial public offering. Nice! Zooming out, international competitors like Wise and N26 will likely accelerate their own Middle East strategies, recognizing the UAE's emergence as a premier FinTech hub with streamlined regulatory pathways. Traditional financial institutions across the region thus face intensified pressure to modernize their digital offerings or risk losing market share to agile digital-first competitors. Looking ahead, success in the UAE positions Revolut to capture significant value in adjacent markets, particularly Saudi Arabia's nascent but rapidly evolving FinTech sector backed by Vision 2030's substantial digital investment program. The company's ability to serve the region's large expatriate communities with tailored solutions for international transfers and multi-currency management creates a sustainable competitive advantage that traditional banks struggle to replicate. Yet another reason to be bullish on Revolut 😎
ICYMI:
eToro accelerates M&A strategy following successful IPO 💸🚀
The news 🗞️ eToro Group ETOR 0.00%↑, the Israel-based social trading platform that went public on Nasdaq in May 2025, has signaled a significant shift toward more aggressive mergers and acquisitions following its successful initial public offering.
The company raised $620 million at a valuation of approximately $4 billion, providing substantial capital for its expansion ambitions.
Let’s take a look at this.
More on this 👉 Speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, Italy, co-founder and executive director Ronen Assia confirmed that eToro is pursuing "more ambitious stuff involving acquisitions." This strategic pivot is backed by a formidable war chest, with the company holding approximately $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and maintaining a debt-free balance sheet with $988 million in net cash position. Nice!
The company's M&A strategy focuses on two primary objectives: expanding its asset class offerings and increasing its geographic footprint. This approach aligns with eToro's recent innovations, including the launch of AI-driven investment tools and tokenized stocks and ETFs in July 2025, signaling a broader push toward blockchain integration and hybrid traditional-crypto trading capabilities.
Zoom out 🔎 eToro's acquisition history reveals a disciplined approach to growth through strategic bolt-on acquisitions. Since 2019, the company has completed 7 known deals, including the $54.9 million acquisition of Australian superannuation platform Spaceship in September 2024 and the $50 million purchase of U.S.-based derivatives specialist Gatsby in August 2022. These acquisitions have consistently targeted early-to-mid-stage FinTech companies that enhance eToro's technological capabilities or provide entry into new markets.
Most importantly, the company's operational performance supports its ambitious M&A agenda. Second quarter 2025 results showed net contribution increasing 26% year-over-year to $210 million, while assets under administration surged 54% to $17.5 billion. With over 35 million users globally, eToro has established itself as a significant player in the democratization of finance, offering retail investors access to stocks, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and its signature copy trading feature.
ICYMI: eToro’s Q2 2025: an undervalued FinTech diamond in the rough 💎📈 [deep dive into their Q2 2025 earnings, unpacking the most important facts & figures, what they mean and why you should be bullish on eToro]
What’s interesting is that Assia explicitly ruled out pursuing prediction markets, distinguishing eToro's strategy from competitors like Crypto.com. "I personally don't believe prediction markets are a long-term investment tool," he stated, emphasizing the company's focus on sustainable, long-term value creation rather than speculative ventures.
✈️ THE TAKEAWAY
What’s next? 🤔 At the core, eToro's aggressive M&A strategy positions the company to capitalize on the ongoing consolidation in the FinTech sector, particularly as traditional boundaries between crypto and conventional finance continue to blur. The company appears well-positioned to target mid-sized acquisitions in the $50-200 million range, though its substantial cash reserves could support larger strategic deals if compelling opportunities arise. Looking ahead, we expect eToro to announce acquisitions in emerging markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where retail trading growth exceeds 15% annually. The company's successful integration of Spaceship demonstrates its ability to execute regional expansion strategies effectively. Additionally, acquisitions focused on advanced derivatives platforms or tokenization technology providers seem also probable, given the explosive growth in crypto derivatives markets and the projected $16 trillion real-world asset tokenization market by 2030. Looking ahead, eToro's public status and strong balance sheet position it as a potential consolidator in a fragmented market where many private FinTech companies are seeking exits right now. This could thus trigger competitive responses from rivals like Robinhood and Interactive Brokers, potentially accelerating industry consolidation.
ICYMI:
🔎 What else I’m watching
Payslip’s AI slashes payroll work by 92% ⚡ Payslip has unveiled Payslip Alpha, a suite of AI tools built on its decade-long data standardization foundation, delivering up to 92% efficiency gains for global payroll teams. Unlike generic LLMs, Alpha’s three core features - Assist (task automation), Agent (validation/execution), and Intelligence (real-time anomaly detection) - are payroll-specific, vetted, and designed to augment (not replace) professionals. Early adopters like Booking.com and Cloudera report dramatic time savings, with one tool cutting manual tasks by 70%. ICYMI:
Mastercard’s AI shopping agent debuts with Citi & U.S. Bank 🛒 Citi and U.S. Bank cardholders are first to test Mastercard Agent Pay, an AI-powered shopping assistant that curates purchases (e.g., party outfits based on weather/venue) and handles payments - all via chat. Rolling out to all U.S. users by the holidays, the tech embeds payments into agentic workflows, with a global launch next. Mastercard’s also releasing an Agent Toolkit to help developers integrate its APIs. ICYMI:
Klarna’s IPO surges 15%, reviving BNPL’s public-market mojo 📈 Klarna’s NYSE debut - priced at $40/share (above the $35–37 range) and closing at $45.82 - raised $1.37 billion and marked a 15% first-day pop, signaling renewed investor faith in BNPL. Though far from its 2021 $46B peak, the oversubscribed IPO (with $200M fresh capital) validates Klarna’s 26.2% U.S. market lead and diversification into embedded finance. A potential blueprint for fintechs eyeing public markets - proving profitability isn’t the only path to a strong debut. Next test: sustaining momentum beyond Day 1. ICYMI: Klarna’s $15B IPO, or a 26x oversubscribed feeding frenzy on Wall St. for Europe's biggest FinTech comeback 👏🤑 [what it’s all about, why it matters & what to expect next + bonus deep dive into Klarna’s IPO filing & why you should be bullish on them]
💸 Following the Money
Non-profit group Accion International is boosting its investment initiative for seed-stage FinTech startups working on financial inclusion, raising $61.6M from international investors. ICYMI:
Japanese bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet raises $1.4B in international offering.
Fiserv has acquired CardFree, an all-in-one platform empowering merchants with customized order, pay, and loyalty solutions. ICYMI: Fiserv’s Q2 2025: an undervalued FinTech infrastructure fortress built for the digital payments revolution 🤑📈 [breaking down key financial facts & figures, what they mean, what’s next and why Fiserv represents one of the most compelling opportunities available in public markets today]
👋 That’s it for today! Thank you for reading and have a relaxing Sunday! And if you enjoyed this newsletter, invite your friends and colleagues to sign up:
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