SBI Holdings to Acquire Bitbank in $289M Crypto Expansion
Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings has agreed to acquire cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank in a deal valued at approximately $289 million, marking one of the largest crypto acquisitions in Japan this year. The acquisition strengthens SBI’s digital asset ecosystem as institutional and retail demand for regulated crypto services continues to grow. By integrating Bitbank’s exchange platform with its existing financial infrastructure, SBI aims to expand its presence across digital asset trading, custody, and blockchain-based financial services. The move also highlights growing consolidation within the crypto industry as established financial institutions increasingly acquire mature digital asset businesses instead of building them from scratch. As regulatory clarity improves in key markets, traditional financial firms are accelerating investments in crypto infrastructure to remain competitive. The transaction reinforces the ongoing convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, making it one of the most significant fintech developments of the week.
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The Directory of US Card Issuing and Program Management Platforms
I mapped 19 of the platforms that issue and process cards in the US market, because from the outside they all describe themselves the same way and the differences that matter are buried in license structure, network access, and who actually holds the BIN. This guide sorts them into five categories and profiles each one across license type, networks, card types, features, and regional coverage. It ships with a companion Excel file so you can compare every platform side by side and filter on the dimensions you care about. I built it for anyone choosing an issuing partner, migrating a live program, or running competitive diligence on this market. Every data point comes from official sources and public disclosures as of June 2026, and where something is not disclosed I mark it that way instead of guessing.
Curated News
💳 Payments
U.S. Bank and GigSafe Modernize Logistics Payments
U.S. Bank has partnered with GigSafe to improve payment infrastructure for the logistics industry by streamlining payment workflows and reducing operational friction. The collaboration aims to deliver faster, more secure payments for carriers and drivers while improving efficiency across supply chains.
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UK Launches Consultation on Next-Generation Payments Infrastructure
The Retail Payments Infrastructure Board has opened a consultation on the future of the UK’s payments infrastructure. The initiative seeks industry feedback on building a more resilient, innovative, and efficient payments ecosystem capable of supporting long-term economic growth.
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XTransfer Expands Latin American Cross-Border Payments Network
XTransfer is strengthening its Latin American strategy through a new banking partnership and increased regional engagement. The expansion aims to simplify international payments for SMEs while accelerating cross-border trade across the region.
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GrailPay Raises $10.5M to Power Instant Agentic Payments
GrailPay has secured $10.5 million in Series A funding to expand its risk decisioning platform for instant and AI-driven payments. The investment will help financial institutions manage payment risk while enabling faster transaction experiences.
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🏦 Banking
Jack Henry and Google Cloud Launch AI Security Platform for Banks
Jack Henry and Google Cloud have introduced an AI-powered security platform designed to strengthen cyber resilience for banks. The solution leverages artificial intelligence to improve threat detection and reduce operational security risks across financial institutions.
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Project OSERA Unites Global Banks Against AI Supply Chain Threats
Leading global banking organizations have launched Project OSERA to secure open-source software supply chains against emerging AI-driven cyber threats. The initiative reflects growing industry collaboration around software security and operational resilience.
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💼 Fintech
Smarsh and AWS Cut Compliance Workloads with AI Governance
Smarsh and AWS unveiled a new AI governance framework that reportedly reduces compliance workloads by 77%. The solution helps financial institutions manage AI adoption while maintaining regulatory oversight and operational efficiency.
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European Fraud Survey Highlights Rising Financial Crime Risks
Finextra and NICE Actimize released a new European Fraud Insights report examining evolving fraud trends across financial services. The findings underscore the need for stronger fraud prevention strategies as digital payment volumes continue to increase.
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QI Tech and Ant International Expand Credit Access in Brazil
QI Tech has partnered with Ant International’s Bettr to broaden credit availability for Brazilian merchants and consumers. The collaboration aims to improve embedded finance offerings for e-commerce while expanding financial inclusion.
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Float Financial Raises C$85M to Accelerate Growth
Canadian fintech Float Financial has raised C$85 million in a Series C funding round. The capital will support product expansion and strengthen the company’s position in business financial management solutions.
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Indian Fintech Progcap Pursues Up to $45M Funding
Lending platform Progcap is seeking up to $45 million in fresh funding to expand its services for small businesses. The raise reflects continued investor interest in embedded lending and SME finance across India.
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Google Finance Debuts Standalone Android App
Google has launched a dedicated Android app for Google Finance, giving users easier access to market data, watchlists, and financial news. The release strengthens Google’s consumer finance ecosystem and broadens access to investment information.
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Akemona Introduces AI Investment Banker Platform
Akemona has launched CapMark™, an AI agent designed to automate investment banking workflows. The platform aims to improve capital formation processes by assisting firms with deal execution and financial analysis.
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Revolut Ends Remote-First Policy for Early Careers
Revolut will require graduates and interns to work in the office rather than remotely. The policy shift reflects a broader trend among fintech firms emphasizing in-person collaboration for early-career talent.
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🪙 Crypto
Coinbase and OKX Target Binance’s EU Customers
Coinbase and OKX are competing to attract Binance’s European users following Binance’s inability to secure a MiCA license. The development could reshape market share across Europe’s regulated crypto landscape.
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Kraken Explores $71M Investment in Aave
Kraken is reportedly in discussions to acquire a 15% stake in decentralized lending protocol Aave. The potential investment highlights increasing collaboration between centralized exchanges and DeFi platforms.
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Lion Group Invests in Indonesian Stablecoin Firm
Lion Group plans to invest $12 million in an Indonesian stablecoin company as digital payment adoption accelerates in Southeast Asia. The investment underscores growing institutional confidence in regional blockchain infrastructure.
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BIS Warns Stablecoins Could Fragment Global Finance
The Bank for International Settlements cautioned that widespread stablecoin adoption could weaken the coherence of the global monetary system. The warning reinforces ongoing debates over how digital currencies should coexist with traditional financial infrastructure.
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Grant Cardone Doubles Down on Bitcoin Strategy
Real estate investor Grant Cardone said he plans to continue buying Bitcoin using cash flows generated from his property portfolio. His approach reflects growing institutional interest in integrating digital assets into long-term investment strategies.
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Spain Refuses to Extend EU Crypto Licensing Deadline
Spain’s financial regulator confirmed there will be no extensions to the EU’s crypto licensing deadline, leaving Binance without authorization in the country. The decision reinforces Europe’s commitment to strict MiCA implementation.
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Bitcoin Tests $59K Amid ETF Outflows
Bitcoin briefly tested the $59,000 level as spot ETFs recorded $692 million in outflows ahead of a major options expiry. The market remains focused on institutional flows and near-term volatility.
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Polymarket Surpasses $1B Annualized Revenue
Prediction market platform Polymarket has reportedly exceeded $1 billion in annualized revenue. The milestone demonstrates growing mainstream adoption of decentralized prediction markets.
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📈 WealthTech
AI Wealth Manager Arca Raises $64M
AI-native wealth management platform Arca has raised $64 million to accelerate development of personalized investment solutions. The funding highlights continued investor confidence in AI-driven wealth management technologies.
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This is another clear signal that crypto is moving from “startup-led” to “bank-led” infrastructure. Regulation + consolidation seems to be the new phase.