The main blog discussions this week include …
A year ago, I invested $1,000 in bitcoin. Today, that’s worth $10,000. OK, I made those figures up. I actually invested and have invested and keep investing in bitcoin and, more importantly, ether – the currency of Ethereum – in which I have more confidence …
Forget Where’s Wally, Where’s Jack?
With Jack Ma disappeared and Alibaba and Ant Group possibly nationalised, China’s government is dictating its future. A bit like my What’s happening in Hong Kong blog – the most read one of 2020 – I now have a Where’s Jack Ma blog. I’m tracking and …
I just received this endorsement from Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s the Terminator saying I’m a good guy. Amazing and, awww, thanks Arnie. Thing is, it’s fake. It’s not Arnold Schwarzenegger at all. It’s a deep fake. What amazes me is how real it looks – …
Money is not about jars and pots
I saw this tweet the other day Finally set up @IFTTT and every time I like your tweet 25p goes into my ‘treat yourself’ Monzo pot and yes that means I just monetised us *both* but dammit let me An interview with the Elephant
I was really surprised how popular the Elephant became last year. In fact, he seems to have a fan following, so much so that one of my friends who runs media in Europe, Rik Coeckelbergs (The Banking Scene), asked if he could interview the elephant. Here’s …
How have bankers views changed pre- and post- pandemic? [Free Research]
I recently got involved in some research that Salesforce put together at the end of last year. They surveyed 2,800 financial services leaders in two waves just before and after the pandemic hit. The first was fielded from November 12 through December 12, 2019 that …
And the main news headlines are ….
Bank customers could have accounts CLOSED if they refuse to wear face masks in branches - The Sun
BANK customers could have accounts closed if they refuse to wear face masks in branches. HSBC issued the warning to its customers amid soaring cases of coronavirus in the UK.
Starling Bank wants to buy a lender - Sifted
Starling Bank, the digital bank steered by founder-turned-author Anne Boden, is hunting for acquisition targets in the lending market in a deal that could trigger a neo bank-led wave of consolidation in the fintech sector.
Programmer has two guesses left to access £175m bitcoin wallet - Guardian
Stefan Thomas is not the first person to forget a password, but memory lapses are rarely so potentially costly Stefan Thomas has just two chances left to get his hands on his $240m (£175m) fortune. Thomas is a San Francisco-based computer programmer, and a decade ago he was given 7,002
Sunak says Brexit will ‘reinforce’ City as leading financial centre - Financial Times
Despite chancellor’s confidence, UK officials fear lengthy stand-off with EU over crucial equivalence decisions
US banks to delist hundreds of HK-listed products under Trump rules - Financial Times
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley among groups reacting to executive order on China investment
The Wodge: can London's tallest new skyscraper survive the Covid era? - Guardian
Nicknamed The Wodge because of its girth, the capital’s tallest ever office has just muscled onto the skyline. But in the age of coronavirus, who wants to jostle for 60 lifts with 12,000 others? With the City of London deserted once more, its streets only populated by the occasional Deliveroo
The City of London is still eerily empty: will workers and shoppers ever return? - Guardian
The Square Mile has been affected more than most districts by the Covid pandemic. We talk to firms large and small about the future The City of London has survived fire and plague in its centuries-long history. But the coronavirus pandemic has emptied its streets of office workers, shoppers and
Bitcoin holders barred from depositing profits in UK banks - The Times
Bitcoin has surged to record highs this week but anyone who wants to take profits might struggle to cash in their gains. Some banks will not accept transfers from bitcoin exchanges.
Digital Banking Platform Revolut Confirms it has Temporary Permit from FCA to Offer Cryptocurrency Services - Crowdfund Insider
UK-based digital bank Revolut notes that in 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had introduced a requirement for all cryptocurrency-related companies or businesses (in the UK) to register with the regulator to confirm that they’re adhering to the country’s money laundering regulations.
Goldman Sachs eyes growth in cash management technology - Financial Times
Finance chief Stephen Scherr says a tool the bank built to solve a problem of its own is now being marketed to third parties
Chris M Skinner
Chris Skinner is best known as an independent commentator on the financial markets through his blog, TheFinanser.com, as author of the bestselling book Digital Bank, and Chair of the European networking forum the Financial Services Club. He has been voted one of the most influential people in banking by The Financial Brand (as well as one of the best blogs), a FinTech Titan (Next Bank), one of the Fintech Leaders you need to follow (City AM, Deluxe and Jax Finance), as well as one of the Top 40 most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal's Financial News. To learn more click here...
