Disruptors

Why Finance is becoming Hyperscalable

Why Finance is becoming Hyperscalable

My thesis has long been that technology would have a huge impact in finance, but that it wouldn’t be a linear process. Let’s summarise where we are in this transformation of finance: 2013 onwards: huge enthusiasm in Fintech and the vision that tech would transform finance with disruptors challenging traditional companies. My view at the time:(…)

Who controls technology, controls the future…

Who controls technology, controls the future…

“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,” (1984, George Orwell) The article below was published in Info, the monthly magazine of the French Chamber of Great Britain. The November issue was “Disrupt or be Disrupted” and coincided with the Disrupt or be Disrupted Conference held in London.  _________________________________(…)

Alibaba now 3rd largest money market fund in the world

Alibaba now 3rd largest money market fund in the world

Almost 2 years ago, I wrote about the incredible rise of Yue Bao, Alibaba’s money market fund (Can a disruptor grow 10x faster than an incumbent?).  At that time, the numbers were as follows: Whereas it had taken 10/15 years for Vanguard, Fidelity and JP Morgan to reach $100bn under management, it only took 9(…)

Guess what is the top finance app?

Guess what is the top finance app?

Let’s see if you know the answer… Between two companies from traditional finance (Chase and Amex), 2 pure Fintech (Credit Karma and Venmo), and an old Fintech (Paypal), which app is the most downloaded in the US? Click, then scroll down for the answer… You’ll see what everybody else thinks once you’ve clicked. S C R O L L(…)

The most interesting challenger bank you’ve never heard of

The most interesting challenger bank you’ve never heard of

Most people who have an interest in Fintech have heard of Atom, Starling, Fidor, Mondo or Number 26. Some might have heard of Loot, or Holvi. But there is a fascinating bank that most people have never heard of, and that’s certainly because this French challenger bank doesn’t seem to seek any international visibility. Let’s take a step back(…)

Why Amazon and Google are bound to enter finance

Why Amazon and Google are bound to enter finance

“Do you think that Google and Facebook will enter financial services ?” This is a question that is in many people’s minds, whether they work in Fintech or in traditional finance.  And indeed, the arrival of the GAFA (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple) in finance has been predicted and expected for years – with great excitement by some,(…)

And the most valuable Fintech company in 2020 is …

And the most valuable Fintech company in 2020 is …

(This is part 2 of this topic. Part 1 can be found here) So, have we found the contenders for “Most Valuable Fintech Company in 2020” ? That was the challenging task for our discussion group at Websummit a few weeks ago, and we spent an hour to try to come up with an answer. Our(…)

What lessons can we learn from Bondcube? [CEO Interview]

What lessons can we learn from Bondcube? [CEO Interview]

The growth in Fintech has been phenomenal during the last few years: 10 times more startups in London in 3 years, dozens of Fintech companies valued at more than $1bn, record breaking VC investments year after year. On the one hand, it is totally justifiable. Finance will be drastically different in 10 years, and the(…)

Fintech startups: compete or collaborate with traditional finance?

Fintech startups: compete or collaborate with traditional finance?

Consider these two statements : “The party’s over, for the banks at least” (Transferwise) “Today we are announcing an exciting new partnership with Santander UK, …” (Funding Circle) These statements were made by Transferwise and Funding Circle, two very well known Fintech startups. Both were created a few years ago, both are Unicorns (i.e.valued more than(…)

If you can’t beat them, join them: Goldman Sachs enters Fintech.

If you can’t beat them, join them: Goldman Sachs enters Fintech.

If you liked “Invest in the Disruptors”, you will love “Disrupt the Disruptors”… Goldman Sachs has been a very active investor in Fintech (and Tech in general), with the latest investment in Circle (Bitcoin), but also CompareAsiaGroup (Comparison website for financial services), Oscar (Challenger Insurance) or Kensho (Data analytics for finance) for example. But what(…)