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WiseAlpha launches UK’s first high-yield corporate bond ISA for retail investors
WiseAlpha has introduced the UK’s first-ever dedicated High-Yield Corporate Bond Innovative Finance ISA (IF ISA), providing retail investors with unprecedented access to corporate bonds.
This move allows individuals to invest in high-yield corporate bonds within a tax-efficient ISA framework, a market previously exclusive to institutional investors.
The corporate bond market has historically been inaccessible to retail investors due to minimum trade sizes of £100,000. WiseAlpha’s launch removes this barrier, enabling investors to build diversified corporate bond portfolios without the hefty entry cost. This innovation marks a significant milestone in the UK investment landscape.
Sterling corporate bonds offer coupons ranging from 5% to 12%, presenting an attractive alternative to traditional savings accounts and government bonds. WiseAlpha’s High-Yield Corporate Bond ISA allows retail investors to enjoy these returns tax-free, exempting them from capital gains and income tax.
WiseAlpha CEO Rezaah Ahmad said, “This is a watershed moment for the UK investment market. For the first time, investors can access an entire asset class that was previously reserved for institutions. Our High-Yield Corporate Bond ISA represents a leap forward in our mission to democratize finance.”
The new product offers an alternative for equity investors concerned about market valuations. For instance, those holding Ocado equities can diversify by investing in Ocado’s 10.5% bonds via the WiseAlpha ISA. Similarly, investors in peer-to-peer SME lending platforms can shift to corporate bonds issued by larger FTSE-sized companies, offering higher credit quality and competitive yields.
UK investors can allocate up to £20,000 for the 2024/25 tax year across Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs, and Innovative Finance ISAs. WiseAlpha also facilitates ISA transfers, providing flexibility for existing holders. Investments within an ISA enjoy full tax exemption, allowing for maximum returns. A 10.5% bond yield within an ISA remains untouched by taxes, compared to a potential 45% tax rate outside the ISA for higher earners.
Rezaah Ahmad added, “With the launch of our High-Yield Corporate Bond ISA, we’re empowering everyday investors to achieve higher tax-free income. This new product aligns with our vision of opening up the financial world to smaller investors and giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
Netradyne Raises $90 Million in Series D Funding Led by Point72 Private Investments
Netradyne, an industry-leading SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing, announced the close of a $90 million Series D round led by Point72 Private Investments with participation from Qualcomm Ventures and Pavilion Capital. The capital infusion will accelerate the company’s growth trajectory through strategic investment in R&D, enhanced go-to-market investments, and aggressive global expansion, solidifying Netradyne as a global industry leader in commercial fleet technology.
The traditional approach to driver performance and fleet safety is obsolete. Netradyne is pioneering a new era of driver-focused technology backed by over 18 billion vision-analyzed driving miles. Netradyne’s Driver•i is the only solution that can positively recognize good driving behavior. By reinforcing good driving behavior with revolutionary technology, fleets experience reduced accidents, improved driver retention, lower insurance costs, improved tracking and productivity, and better fleet performance.
“The successful completion of our Series D funding round is a significant milestone for Netradyne and a testament to the confidence our investors have in our vision and innovative approach to AI-powered fleet safety solutions,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder at Netradyne. “This funding provides us with the resources to accelerate growth, expand our technology capabilities, and deliver even greater value to our customers worldwide. With this support, we are poised to scale our innovations globally, deepen our impact, and continue advancing safety and efficiency across the transportation industry, redefining what’s possible for fleets and communities alike.”
“Investing in Netradyne is about believing in safer roads and supporting professional drivers,” said Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Private Investments. “Since our initial investment in 2018, we’ve witnessed Netradyne’s impressive growth and believe their technology is well-positioned not only to empower fleet managers but also to foster a culture of safe driving. We are excited to continue our partnership with Avneesh and the Netradyne team as they advance their mission to transform the global transportation industry.”
Netradyne’s solutions offer a comprehensive and accurate driver performance assessment by analyzing 100% of drive-time data. Powered by advanced AI, Driver•i delivers unparalleled accuracy in identifying both positive and negative driving behaviors, fostering trust and enabling effective in-cab coaching. In addition to promoting safer driving, these capabilities help fleets shield drivers from false claims, minimize collisions and insurance costs, optimize productivity, and simplify compliance management.
This funding comes on the heels of exciting growth. Since its founding in 2015, Netradyne now reaches over 3,000 customers and over 450,000 active subscribers, serving customers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and India, with planned expansion throughout Europe and Japan. Netradyne’s customers include some of the biggest names in global online retail, food and beverage, oil and gas, transportation, utilities, field services, passenger transit, and construction.
Archive Intel raises $1.5m to expand AI-driven compliance solutions
Archive Intel, a leader in AI-powered compliance archiving solutions, has secured an additional $1.5m in funding to accelerate its growth.
The funding round was led by Garuda Ventures, a San Francisco-based investment firm focused on early-stage companies, with participation from existing investor Social Leverage.
Archive Intel offers a cutting-edge compliance platform designed to help financial advisors and institutions meet regulatory requirements effortlessly. The platform uses AI to simplify workflows, reduce false positives, and support a wide array of communication channels, including email, chat platforms, social media, and messaging apps.
The company plans to use the funding to expand integrations, scale its infrastructure, and drive further innovation across its platform.
Archive Intel has experienced rapid growth, surpassing 220 clients and 2,000 users within just six months of launching in 2024.
Rishi Taparia, co-founder and general partner at Garuda Ventures, said, “Archive Intel’s innovative platform and leadership team are well-positioned to shape the future of communication compliance. We are excited to partner with Archive Intel as they redefine how financial institutions meet regulatory requirements.”
Howard Lindzon, founder and managing partner of Social Leverage, added, “Archive Intel has proven its ability to address critical industry pain points with scalable, cutting-edge solutions. We’re proud to continue supporting their growth.”
Archive Intel CEO Larry Shumbres expressed his enthusiasm for the funding, stating, “Our mission has always been to make compliance seamless, efficient, and future-ready. This additional funding validates our approach and enables us to continue delivering innovative solutions that empower our clients to stay ahead of regulatory challenges.”
Brex secures $235m credit facility to fuel growth of corporate card solutions
Brex, a leading corporate card and spend management platform, has closed a $235m revolving credit facility to bolster its product growth and scale its card solutions.
The two-year credit facility was led by Citi as the senior lender, with TPG Angelo Gordon participating as a supporting lender.
This latest funding initiative is expected to further accelerate Brex’s growth trajectory. The company plans to utilise the credit facility alongside its existing warehouse facilities and master securitisation trust. To date, Brex has completed three securitisation issuances.
Commenting on the announcement, Ben Gammell, chief financial officer at Brex, said, “This transaction highlights the continued momentum of Brex’s card offering and our entire product suite.
“Our capital position remains exceptionally strong, and this credit facility, which follows our largest and most robust securitization to date, allows us to further scale our card solution and empower our customers in making every dollar count.”
Aaron Ong, head of private asset-based credit at TPG Angelo Gordon, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, adding, “We are thrilled to provide capital support to Brex in its pursuit to offer modern spend management solutions for businesses of all sizes. xThis partnership demonstrates how TPG Angelo Gordon customizes capital solutions to meet the needs of our borrowers, and we are pleased to be part of Brex’s incredible story.”
Founded in 2017, Brex has established itself as a comprehensive financial platform that integrates corporate cards, expense management, banking, bill pay, and travel solutions.
The platform is used by over 30,000 companies, including major names such as DoorDash, Flexport, and Compass. Handling tens of billions of dollars in transactions annually across 120 countries, Brex continues to innovate to help businesses optimise their financial operations.
Spring Financial launches Bloom: Canada’s first AI-driven financial concierge app
This marks a significant milestone as Bloom becomes the first app in Canada to integrate artificial intelligence to provide users with a holistic view of their financial landscape. Designed for everyday Canadians, the app simplifies banking, spending, and budgeting by offering real-time financial insights at users’ fingertips.
Bloom’s core feature is Oscar AI, an intelligent financial assistant capable of answering a range of user-specific queries. For example, users can inquire about their spending on Uber last month or track subscription expenses across platforms. This personalised approach enables users to make informed financial decisions.
Tyler Thielmann, president and CEO of Spring Financial, said, “The last few years have been a challenging financial environment for so many Canadians. Finances are becoming more complicated and there has been very little innovation helping Canadians see their full financial picture in one place. That is why we developed Bloom.
“Bloom uses industry-leading technology to offer users customized financial insights across all of their accounts, right at their fingertips. And with OscarAI, users can have their financial questions answered in seconds.”
The app integrates with all major financial institutions, consolidating various accounts, including bank accounts, credit cards, and savings, into a single, user-friendly hub. Its real-time insights empower users to set specific spending limits, track subscriptions, and categorise transactions automatically, providing a clear picture of their financial habits.
Bloom is particularly advantageous for Canadian renters, offering rent reporting to credit bureaus. This feature helps users build credit histories and unlock better financial opportunities.
Other standout features of Bloom include advanced budgeting tools, subscription and recurring payment tracking, and smart suggestions for financial planning. Available for free download on the App Store and Google Play, the app also offers a premium subscription at $11.99/month for enhanced features.
SC Ventures targets APAC small businesses with new fintech platform
SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation arm, has today launched a digital platform to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Asia Pacific region.
The new venture, called Labamu, offers digital invoicing and billing services alongside integrated banking features. It launches first in Indonesia, but expansion is planned across APAC, tapping into the region’s $2.5 trillion SME market.
The platform aims to help SMEs boost sales through both physical and digital marketplaces. Users can receive payments directly into their bank accounts through embedded banking services, with working capital financing planned for future rollout.
Digital billing, inventory management, and customer relationship tools are also designed to enhance operational efficiency.
“Every small business contributes to shared economic prosperity and we want to empower them,” said Emmanuel Van De Geer, CEO of Labamu. He emphasised the platform’s integration of financial services as a key differentiator in the market.
Southeast Asia’s SME sector accounts for 90% of companies and 80% of employment across six major markets in the region.
Labamu has placed particular focus on female entrepreneurship through its “Wanita Tumbuh Bersama” campaign, which has provided business management training to more than 7,500 SME owners.
In its incubation phase, Labamu attracted over 80,000 SME owners.
Lower integrates Neat Labs technology to set new standards in mortgage efficiency
Lower, a leading digital mortgage lender, has announced its acquisition of Neat Labs, renowned for its end-to-end mortgage origination software.
Lower will integrate Neat Labs’ proprietary software into LowerOS, a comprehensive, cloud-based mortgage platform designed to enhance the borrower experience and streamline loan production costs.
Founded in 2015, Neat Labs has been pivotal in optimising the mortgage process from pricing to loan approval and closing. Neat Labs has notably facilitated over $1bn in loans, enabling borrowers to progress from application to funding in as little as 10 days.
The rollout of LowerOS signifies a pivotal advancement in mortgage technology, offering unprecedented collaboration between borrowers and loan officers. The platform equips borrowers with self-service access to Neat Labs’ sophisticated underwriting engine, allowing them to choose optimal loan products and payment plans. Furthermore, LowerOS automates many labor-intensive tasks within the mortgage process, thereby reducing the time and cost for borrowers to secure loans, while empowering Lower’s extensive network of loan officers to devote more attention to client guidance.
“We’re thrilled to bring Neat Labs into the Lower family. Their technology is the foundation of our next chapter,” Lower CEO and Co-Founder Dan Snyder commented. “Since our inception, we’ve merged state-of-the-art technology with superior customer service. With LowerOS, we are once again revolutionising the mortgage industry, delivering unparalleled operational efficiency and a seamless experience for both borrowers and loan officers.”
Steve Herschleb, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Neat Labs, will transition to Lower as the new CTO. With a robust background in scalable mortgage technology and a former role as Chief Product Officer at Maxwell, Herschleb will be instrumental in the ongoing development of LowerOS.
“LowerOS will change the way consumers think about getting a mortgage whether they are buying a new home, refinancing to reduce their monthly payments or tapping into home equity for major expenses,” Herschleb elaborated. “With LowerOS, borrowers can get approved significantly faster than they can today. It’ll make getting a mortgage feel more like obtaining a car loan or a credit card.”
With the acquisition and the launch of LowerOS, Lower continues to redefine the mortgage experience, blending cutting-edge technology with a commitment to delivering exceptional value and efficiency.
Bilt Rewards clinches $150m in fresh funding to enhance loyalty programs
The round was spearheaded by Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG), a division of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan specializing in late-stage and growth investments. Alongside TVG, significant contributions came from Vanderbilt University Endowment and the University of Illinois Foundation, with continued support from previous investors.
Bilt Rewards operates as a pioneering loyalty platform that significantly impacts both the residential and local business sectors. By integrating loyalty systems with rental payments, Bilt has facilitated an environment where every rent payment enhances tenant credit scores while simultaneously accruing redeemable points that can be spent within the local community.
The fresh capital will be used to expand Bilt’s influential resident loyalty program and grow its neighborhood loyalty initiatives. These programs are essential for connecting property owners with local businesses, creating a vibrant community ecosystem. Bilt aims to extend these services to include single-family homes and is planning to incorporate mortgage payments into its platform by year-end.
Additional information reveals Bilt’s impressive trajectory of growth. Since their last funding round in January, which raised $200m and put the company’s valuation at $3.1bn, Bilt’s annual platform spend has surged to over $30bn. This represents a 50% increase, driven by the expansion of its loyalty programs to more apartment buildings and into the condominium and homeowner association (HOA) markets. Furthermore, the neighborhood program has expanded to include over 21,000 restaurants and 3,500 fitness studios.
Rick Prostko , Senior Managing Director at Teachers’ Venture Growth, expressed his enthusiasm about the ongoing partnership: “Bilt Rewards has created a unique loyalty program to empower renters. We’ve seen the positive reaction from both customers and all those involved as part of their ecosystem. We are excited about the opportunity to work with Ankur and the full management team and find ways to support them as a value-add partner.”
Ankur Jain, CEO of Bilt Rewards, commented on the future prospects: “This funding accelerates our vision of rewarding Americans for how they live and spend in their communities. We’re rapidly growing our neighborhood loyalty program, expanding into essential categories like healthcare, gas, and groceries. With members in all 50 states, we’re building a comprehensive platform that benefits residents, property owners, and local businesses across the country.”
Highnote clinches $90m in Series B to revolutionise U.S. merchant acquiring
Highnote has recently announced the closure of a $90m Series B coupled with the launch of its new merchant acquiring solution.
The financing was spearheaded by Adams Street Partners and saw contributions from existing backers such as Oak HC/FT, Costanoa, WestCap, and Pinegrove Venture Partners.
The company, known for its innovative financial technology solutions, operates a modern platform that offers both card issuing and acquiring capabilities. This dual-functionality allows Highnote to offer comprehensive pay-in and pay-out features, all managed through a single, unified core general ledger, delivering unparalleled efficiency and cost reductions.
With the introduction of its acquiring solution, Highnote is expanding its capabilities to include accepting card payments online, either through plug-in checkout systems or bespoke solutions tailored to specific needs. This advancement builds on the company’s already robust embedded finance platform, known for its seamless integration with major payment networks, ensuring transparency and improved economics for users.
The new funds will be utilized to expand Highnote’s footprint in the embedded finance market, particularly by enhancing its acquiring services. This move is aimed at accelerating growth and expanding its market presence in the United States, offering a holistic approach to embedded payments that cater to both small businesses and large enterprises.
Additional insights into the strategic development were highlighted by John MacIlwaine, CEO of Highnote, who emphasized the transformative potential of integrating acquiring services on their platform. He noted that this expansion into acquiring is a strategic move to enhance their already comprehensive embedded finance and issuing platform.
“Highnote’s transformational platform and impressive growth trajectory motivated us to lead this funding round,” Robin Murray, Partner at Adams Street Partners said. “We are excited to support the company’s vision to lead innovation in embedded finance.”
Spikerz raises $7m to enhance AI-powered social media security solutions
Spikerz, a cybersecurity company focused on protecting businesses and individuals from social media threats, has raised $7m in funding.
The investment round was led by Disruptive AI, with contributions from Horizon Capital, Wix Ventures, Storytime Capital, and BDMI, according to a report from New York Tech.
The company provides an AI-driven security platform designed to tackle the growing threats associated with social media usage. Spikerz’s technology offers protection against phishing attacks, impersonation attempts, bot infiltration, and shadowbanning, helping users safeguard their accounts and maintain their digital presence.
With the newly secured funds, Spikerz plans to advance its technological capabilities and expand its market presence in the rapidly evolving social media security sector. The investment will support further product development and strategic partnerships to address the increasing demand for robust cybersecurity solutions.
Eitan Israeli, head of Wix Ventures, said, “We’re excited about the innovative solution this team has developed to address a pressing need in the market. The solution is positioned to benefit both large enterprises like Wix and the SMBs that make up a significant portion of our users. Backed by a very talented and driven team, we’re confident this investment will drive meaningful value across the industry.”
VeriPark Partners with Leading Canadian Financial Institutions Coalition to Redefine Digital Banking
VeriPark, a global leader in omnichannel customer experience solutions for financial services, has partnered with a coalition of leading Canadian credit unions and financial institutions, including First West Credit Union, Prospera Credit Union, DUCA Credit Union, and Coastal Community Credit Union, Together, the coalition aims to drive innovation, enhance member experiences, and empower institutions in an evolving financial landscape.
This collaboration will deliver a Canadian-focused digital banking product tailored to the distinct needs of Canadians. Combining global and Canadian codebases, the solution allows institutions to maintain their identities while developing additional features to differentiate themselves.
“The partnership with VeriPark represents a uniquely Canadian solution that combines local expertise with global best practices,” said Darrell Jaggers, CIO & CTO, First West Credit Union. “Our goal is to build on our successes and provide members with even more innovative, personalized digital banking services that align with their evolving lifestyles.”
The coalition selected VeriPark for its Canadian-centric product development, enhanced security and compliance, support for open banking frameworks and commitment to ongoing managed services. Powered by Microsoft Azure, the solution ensures adaptability, efficiency and long-term support.
The solution integrates with Central 1’s payment and fraud management systems while supporting compatibility with other payment platforms, providing flexibility for institutions.
Coalition members gain:
A Canadian-focused solution enhanced by global best practices.
The ability to compete with larger banks while maintaining independence.
A solution validated by a year-long assessment, ensuring innovation and long-term support through Microsoft’s technology stack.
Institutions can contact Darrell Jaggers or coalition CIOs for details on joining the coalition.
“The financial services sector is constantly evolving, and this partnership offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of digital banking in Canada,” said Barry Frame, Chief Sales Officer, VeriPark. “By combining VeriPark’s expertise with the coalition’s forward-thinking vision, we are confident in delivering a transformative banking experience for Canadians.”
Selim Hasan, Sales Director, VeriPark, added, “This partnership also underscores our growth strategy for North America, as we continue to expand our footprint and deliver innovative solutions tailored to the needs of financial institutions in this region.”
Validis secures investment from Citi and Barclays to transform business lending
Validis, a leader in financial data collection and standardisation, has received strategic investments from Citi and Barclays.
The funding aims to enhance Validis’ platform, which focuses on automating and standardising data processes across business lending, including corporate, commercial, and working capital finance.
Validis provides technology that automates financial monitoring and delivers underwriting-ready data quickly. This process significantly reduces the time required for credit applications and reviews, enabling lenders to make faster and more informed decisions. The platform also supports risk management by ensuring data reliability and consistency.
With the new funding, Validis plans to accelerate its growth through product innovation and expanded sales and marketing efforts.
In addition to its lending applications, Validis’ technology has been transformative in the audit sector, where it works with over 100 lending and accounting firms to deliver granular, transaction-level data. This audit-grade information provides unprecedented insights, enabling robust financial decisions.
Michael Turner, CEO of Validis, added, “We’re eliminating historically time-consuming and high-cost data processes, particularly for complex commercial clients, enabling lenders to make faster, smarter decisions based on clean, reliable data.”
James Binns, managing director and global head of trade and working capital at Barclays, emphasised the impact on customer service, saying, “By automating data collection and standardization, we can not only deliver faster decisions and better service, but also offer client focused working capital funding products at scale. This enables us to meet our customers’ unique needs while still meeting our credit assessment standards.”
AIsa launches revolutionary payment network for the AI economy
AIsa, a cutting-edge FinTech company specialising in AI-focused payment infrastructure, has announced the launch of its revolutionary payment network tailored to meet the specific needs of the AI economy.
The launch addresses the growing demand for payment systems capable of handling the unique requirements of AI agents, according to FF News.
Traditional payment systems, originally designed for human transactions, fall short in processing the microscopic, high-frequency payments essential for AI operations.
Founded to bridge the gap between AI and payments, AIsa focuses on delivering innovative solutions to enable frictionless transactions within the AI economy.
The company’s expertise lies in integrating advanced blockchain technology with stablecoin-based payment mechanisms to provide secure, efficient, and scalable solutions for global industries.
The new AIsa payment network combines the speed of the Lightning Network with the stability of multi-asset stablecoins.
It is designed to support transactions as small as $0.0001, ensuring instant settlements with minimal fees.
Its key features include millisecond-level settlement speeds, programmable payments through smart contracts, multi-chain compatibility for cross-border functionality, and a stable value system through multi-asset stablecoins.
This groundbreaking network facilitates diverse applications, including payments for digital services like computational power, storage, and API calls. It also supports AI-to-AI task delegation, high-frequency trading strategies, and intelligent DeFi activities, such as cross-DEX arbitrage.
By focusing on real-world utility rather than speculative trading, AIsa distinguishes itself from other blockchain projects.
Its support for multiple stablecoins offers businesses the stability required for everyday operations while leveraging blockchain’s efficiency.
The vision for AIsa is driven by its co-founder Jordan, a recognised leader in payments and co-founder of UXUY, a multi-chain wallet with over 5m users. The team includes seasoned experts from Meta, MasterCard, and Bloomberg, combining years of experience in payments and AI. Backed by over $10m in funding from prominent investors like Binance Labs, AIsa is well-positioned to lead this transformation.
Drawing inspiration from Visa’s “chaordic” organisational model, AIsa has incorporated blockchain technology and token economics to create a decentralised, self-governing network designed to evolve with the AI economy.
PXP Launches the Next-Generation Technology Platform PXP Unity
PXP, a leading omnichannel global payment platform and innovative industry disruptor, is announcing the launch of its industry-redefining technology platform, PXP Unity. Marking a shift in payments, PXP offers a single integration into a commerce ecosystem that makes business simpler, better and more connected. It promises to transform and empower merchants with next generation POS and online services, providing more control over their transaction data, smart routing options, and a catalogue of easily-integrated services that they can deploy as and when they need them through just one integration with PXP.
The announcement comes at a transformative moment for the industry, with a comprehensive PXP survey conducted by leading polling firm Censuswide revealing strong merchant demand for digital transformation and unified commerce solutions. The research findings demonstrate how fundamentally merchants’ needs are evolving:
64% of merchants now view payment technology as a strategic growth driver, rather than just an operational necessity, signaling a major shift in how businesses view their payments infrastructure.
Enterprises in particular recognize the transformative power of payments technology, with 74% of large businesses prioritizing capabilities like real-time business intelligence, intelligent payment routing, and AI-enhanced platform features as vital to their operations.
When evaluating payment platforms, merchants prioritize robust security and fraud prevention (35%), followed by guaranteed reliability during peak periods (28%), and the ability to unify all payment channels and providers in a single platform (21%).
Looking ahead, merchants see payments innovation as key to their future success, with 59% focused on creating unique payment experiences and 56% planning to pioneer new commerce models through smart payment tech.
PXP Unity is a cloud-native, scalable and integrated platform that’s built on AI-powered engineering practices, representing the next generation of unified global technology platforms. One of the most advanced platforms in the world and built entirely in-house from the ground up, PXP Unity integrates cutting-edge engineering, flexible service catalogue, advanced real-time data reporting, and streamlined payment processing to accelerate merchants’ time to value.
Amongst its stand-out features is the platform’s ability to transform raw real-time transaction data into actionable insights, empowering merchants with intuitive dashboards that turn complex data into clear strategic direction, including important metrics such as transaction success rates, refusal patterns, payment methods, and scheme performance. Merchants can also drill down to specific parameters and granular insights, including direct connection to a data warehouse for deep and predictive analysis to inform future growth strategies.
PXP Unity also offers a level of self-service unrivalled by other platforms, enabling merchants to adapt the platform’s features to their own business blueprint, and control how and where each transaction flows. This granular control transforms complexity into strategic advantage, letting merchants design the perfect payment experience.
Backed by years of industry expertise, PXP’s platform sets new standards in commerce technology, with every feature and integration being precision-crafted and designed to streamline processes and unlock new growth opportunities.
PXP Unity reflects PXP’s significant investment in both technology and business innovation and offers:
A unified cloud-native global payments platform, processing payments across multiple channels, including online and in-store across a multitude of sectors including gaming, retail, hospitality and cruise, enabling merchants to meet customers at every touchpoint.
Sleek, intuitive and mobile-responsive UI and UX across all merchant channels and devices, including real-time transaction data reporting and advanced analytics dashboard.
Customisable reports and saved queries to meet specific business needs, providing actionable insights, scheduled reports, and direct access to real-time data points.
AI-powered engineering practices to optimise development quality and speed
Merchant control over transaction routing for cost, performance, or redundancy, ensuring every transaction takes the perfect path.
Comprehensive service catalogue, enabling rapid innovation, instant scaling, and continuous evolution of features.
Self-service options, enabling merchants to independently plug and play, configure and manage their payment services and processes, with intuitive interfaces that reduce reliance on manual support.
Customisable webhook notifications to receive real-time updates about any event at any level, for any service.
Freedom to select a single service and adopt it in isolation or combine several services together to build a holistic payments experience.
Next-generation in-store (stand-alone and integrated POS as well as SoftPOS) and online technology.
Scalable and robust infrastructure designed to handle high transaction volumes without compromising performance.
Not only does PXP Unity offer next-generation payment services and greater operational resilience, it simplifies commerce for merchants and businesses by removing friction to speed up integration, improve payment experience and give merchants more control over how their transactions flow.
Kamran Hedjri, Group CEO for PXP, comments: “In today’s fast-changing payment landscape, we know that merchants need even more dynamic and feature-rich payment platforms. PXP is breaking the boundaries of traditional commerce and technology, with architecture that transforms merchants’ payment processing and acceptance capabilities. The PXP Unity platform is where commerce is unified and amplified, and payments are reimagined to deliver the future of payments today. It is future-ready by design, empowering merchants with continuous service evolution and emerging technology innovation.”
Salvatore Cicero, Group CTO for PXP, added: “PXP Unity is more than just a platform; it is the culmination of relentless dedication, innovative engineering, and a vision to redefine global commerce. By bringing together cutting-edge technology, merchant-centric design, and a scalable infrastructure, PXP Unity empowers businesses to take full control of their payment processes. PXP Unity represents the intersection of advanced technology and practical solutions, delivering unmatched flexibility, actionable insights, and the agility to adapt to an ever-evolving payments landscape. It is a game-changer for merchants and a proud milestone for the entire PXP team.”
“With a single link, PXP Unity empowers merchants to customize their payment configurations without the friction and complexities of managing multiple integrations. Tested with selected merchants across various sectors, the feedback has been outstanding. Featuring speed, agility, and future-proof technology, the PXP Unity platform supports the entire business ecosystem beyond payments, ensuring seamless performance and more connected commerce.”
“The launch of our new platform marks a pivotal moment for PXP, establishing a fresh business direction that sets a new standard in the payments landscape. PXP Unity embodies our vision to be the fintech partner of choice, revolutionizing global commerce with a steadfast commitment to continuous growth, innovation, and trusted expertise. As new innovations emerge, PXP Unity will stand alongside our merchants, creating value beyond every transaction. One partner, one link. We handle the rest.”
Checkbook Acquires sureti to Deliver End-to-End Payment Solution for the Property Insurance Ecosystem
Checkbook, a trailblazer in digital payments, is thrilled to announce its acquisition of sureti, a cutting-edge digital payment solution dedicated to transforming the distribution of insurance claim proceeds. This strategic acquisition positions Checkbook at the forefront of the insurtech revolution, delivering faster, smarter, and more secure payment solutions for insurance companies and their customers.
By integrating sureti’s robust vendor network and innovative fund control mechanisms, Checkbook is set to redefine claims payment workflows. The synergy between the two companies promises to solve one of the insurance industry’s most persistent challenges: slow and cumbersome payment processes that delay restoration work and inflate costs.
sureti has been on a mission to revolutionize claim payments, with a firm belief that restoration contractors are often building slowly because they are being paid slowly – a cycle that costs carriers billions in increased loss-of-use expenses. Traditional paper claim checks, with mortgage lenders as payees, have created bottlenecks that negatively impact all stakeholders: carriers, contractors, policyholders, and lenders alike.
“The legacy model was overdue for disruption, and we take pride in leading the charge to solve these claims-related payment challenges,” said Whatley, founder of sureti.
sureti’s groundbreaking approach allows vetted restoration contractors to be paid ahead of work completion a bold departure from industry norms that addresses widespread contractor cash flow issues. This innovative payment process also reduces the risk of omitting lenders from large-loss claim payments while maintaining integrity and control through sureti’s underwriting mechanisms.
Since its inception, sureti has exclusively relied on Checkbook’s digital endorsement technology to streamline multi-party payments. With the integration of their tech stacks, customers can expect enhanced security, performance, and an unrivaled user experience.
“By joining forces with sureti, Checkbook has tackled the ‘last mile’ problem in claims payment distribution, allowing large claim proceeds to reach the right hands quickly and efficiently – without requiring lien holders to slow the process,” said PJ Gupta, Founder of Checkbook. “This is more than an acquisition; it’s a transformation for the insurance industry. We’re cutting large-loss cycle times, reducing administrative costs, and delivering peace of mind to all stakeholders.”
Gupta added, “If there ever was a perfect marriage between an insurtech pioneer and a fintech innovator, this is it. Our partnership is a testament to a shared vision of modernizing claims payments, and we’re excited to continue reshaping the future of insurance payments together.”
Together, Checkbook and sureti are poised to lead the charge in modernizing the property insurance ecosystem, delivering faster payments, better outcomes, and billions in savings for carriers and policyholders alike.
Ethos and Protective Life partner to simplify term life insurance with cutting-edge technology
Ethos, a leading provider of cutting-edge InsurTech solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Protective Life Corporation and its subsidiary Protective Life Insurance Company, collectively referred to as Protective.
The partnership will enable Protective to offer its proprietary term life insurance directly to consumers via Ethos’ advanced digital platform, according to FF News.
The collaboration aims to simplify access to life insurance by leveraging Ethos’ seamless technology platform and Protective’s trusted insurance products.
Together, the companies aim to expand life insurance access, delivering exceptional value and ease to millions of families.
Ethos is renowned for its innovative technology platform that simplifies the insurance purchase process for both consumers and agents.
The platform integrates advanced tools to provide a streamlined, user-friendly experience, making it one of the most robust solutions in the industry.
Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., is a prominent provider of financial and insurance solutions, known for its commitment to making life insurance accessible to a broad demographic.
As part of this partnership, Protective will offer term life insurance for consumers aged 20–65 with term periods ranging from 10 to 40 years.
Coverage amounts of up to $2m will be available, featuring guaranteed level premiums and a terminal illness rider for accelerated death benefits. Customers will also gain access to Ethos’ proprietary Estate Planning tools.
This initiative reflects Protective’s commitment to innovation and accessibility. “We are excited to team up with Ethos to help more people achieve financial protection,” said Aaron Seurkamp, SVP and President of Protective’s Protection & Retirement Division. “Their cutting-edge technology allows us to reach a wider audience and delivers an exceptional experience. This is the latest example of Protective’s commitment to making term insurance easy to obtain and accessible for families everywhere.”
Peter Colis, Co-Founder and CEO of Ethos, expressed similar enthusiasm.
“Joining forces with Protective is a fantastic opportunity for us to expand life insurance access to millions more families while delivering the best policyholder experience,” he said. “And, we couldn’t be more proud to do it with one of the most reputable organisations in the life insurance industry.”