US fintech Square reported $16.4 billion in gross payment volume, a 32% gain from 2Q16, as the company attracted larger sellers and increased product usage through cross selling; revenue was $552 million, increasing 26% from 2Q16; earnings per share were $0.07, increasing from $0.02 in 2Q16; the firm's lending business, Square Capital, reported a 68% year over year increase in loan volume for the quarter. Source
The firm joins Shopify and Paypal in the burgeoning fintech payments race.
The new system is unique, creating a closed network outside of the giants that make POS possible.
The Independent Community Bankers of America have expressed concern about Square’s plans for a bank charter; they believe it would set a precedent for other tech companies like Amazon; According to Jacqueline Reses, Amazon and Facebook haven’t expressed interest in a banking license and they would have to be evaluated on their own merits; Square also recently met with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition to address concerns with the Community Reinvestment Act. Source
The current crisis has shown itself to have a long list of unintended consequences and increased reserves on payments is...
This week, we put on the Goldman hat and go shopping for companies. We buy a little bit of Folio and sell some Motif. We look at Personal Capital and the $1 billion it wants for its $12 billion of assets. We examine the private markets with Addepar / iCapital and SharesPost / Forge, and then move over to the banking sector. Should we buy Wells Fargo, as rumored, or some digital wallet apps? Read on for how to acquire a best-in-class Fintech.
“Bitcoin, for us, is not stopping at buying and selling," Square CEO Jack Dorsey told analysts on their earnings call as reported by Business Insider. "We do believe that this is a transformational technology for our industry and we want to learn as quickly as possible."; bitcoin has yet to effect Square’s earnings as they have only recently started crypto payments; they currently include a margin to account for the volatility of bitcoin; shares were down slightly after releasing earnings. Source.
When Square initially filed for an ILC charter there were many in fintech who though the payments firm was doomed...
Hindenburg's tale of fraud and manipulation has dirtied Dorsey's rose-tinted vision of economic empowerment.
In this conversation, Max Friedrich of ARK Invest, Will and Lex break down Ant Group’s highly anticipated IPO.
Ant, a spinout from Alibaba and the parent of Alipay, one of China’s leading payments companies, filed papers to IPO in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Max, Will and Lex dig into Ant’s business, from the origins to today, discuss growth opportunities and potential headwinds and explore the multi-faceted relationships between Ant and other big tech companies and national governments.
We cannot understate how impressive Ant Financial has become, connecting 700 million people and 80 million merchants in China, with payments, savings, wealth management and insurance products integrated in one package. The company also highlights the likely road for traditional banks — as underlying risk capital, without much technology or client management.
Payments fintech Marqeta’s valuation could reach as high as $8bn when the company goes public in early 2021; the company...