BlockFi offers loans to those who own cryptocurrencies; the company is currently in a beta launch and is lending in 35 states; ConsenSys Ventures, Kenetic Capital, PJC, SoFi, Purple Arch Ventures and Lumenary participated in the round. Source
Blocksure is looking to bring the beneficial aspects of blockchain technology to the insurance market; according to Coverager, Blocksure has developed an insurance policy delivered by a SMART contract; SMART stands for see-through, multifaceted, authoritative and real-time; this would enable insurers and the many parties involved in a transaction to use one centralized location for the contract; this would be a more efficient and secure way to operate; we are likely to continue to see blockchain based proof of concepts across the insurance space in the future. Source
blooom has developed a digital advice platform for defined contribution employer benefit plans; it seeks to provide automation, transparency and simplicity around retirement investing; the platform currently offers both automated and personal financial advice through online chats with human advisors; it recently raised $9 million and plans to expand its client base from 6,000 to 50,000 by the end of 2017. Source
