The challenge of being a challenger bank
May 16, 2017. I recently met a start-up bank. They were depressed. Having submitted their third proposal for the bank, the regulator was still pushing back. This felt familiar. Having seen so many new start-up banks in Britain, I was familiar with the start-up process....
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Banks are falling behind when it comes to understanding — and using — data – Tearsheet
August 30, 2017. Banks and startups will soon start pushing the envelope of how they monetize data and create incentives for customers to generate moreEvolving data strategy isn't just about trust and the creepy factor, banks’ ability to access customer data is restricted because of...
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Why banks don’t acquire fintech companies – Tearsheet
October 31, 2017. Many fintech companies these days are being built to be licensed or sold to banks, but the industry hasn't had a bank go on a fintech buying spree yetBanks that buy fintech startups don't acquire their earnings, which means they need to...
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Union Square Ventures
August 08, 2016. Here’s one way to think about the differences between the Internet and the Blockchain. The previous generation of shared protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, etc.) produced immeasurable amounts of value, but most of it got captured and re-aggregated on top at...
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A beginner’s guide to Ethereum tokens
May 22, 2017. What is an Ethereum token? Before learning about Ethereum tokens, it is important to first understand the basics of Ethereum. Please see my beginner’s guide to Ethereum for those new to this concept entirely. Ethereum tokens are simply digital assets that...
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Every company will use blockchain by 2027
October 20, 2017. Here’s how. Almost a decade ago, Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, silently disrupted trust-providing organizations, like banks, with an eight-page long research paper describing how money can be decentralized (through Bitcoin). At the time, not many people understood the potential...
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Why B2B is the next trillion-dollar payments opportunity
September 29, 2017. Consumer-facing industries like fashion and electronics have long led the payments innovation game. Large investments in technology and talent over the past decade have brought about mobile wallets, "invisible” payments, one-click checkout, and other advancements that make the consumer buying experience truly...
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