Blockchain
Global Fintech M&A continues two-year climb to defy broader M&A slowdown, says Hampleton Partners’ report
Embedded finance applications, crypto, blockchain and OpenAPI banking services surge
‘Potential recession won’t dampen Fintech M&A as it did in 2008’
London, UK – 14 September 2022. The latest Hampleton Partners’ Fintech M&A Report, reveals that global Fintech M&A rose sharply in the first half of 2022 with 591 recorded deals, defying the broader M&A slowdown.
The report, by the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, showed a 46 per cent increase on 1H2021 numbers (406 Fintech deals), and a massive 70 per cent increase on 1H2019 pre-pandemic figures (348 Fintech deals).
Meanwhile, valuations remained steady: 1H2022 saw the trailing 30-month median revenue multiple at 3.1x – broadly in line with the levels seen in the past two years. The trailing 30-month median EBITDA multiple came in at 14.2x, still in the 13-15x range Hampleton has monitored since 2015.
Miro Parizek, founder and principal partner, Hampleton Partners, said: “Fintech is proving to be a very attractive target for financial and strategic dealmakers, defying the broader global M&A slowdown.
“As for the impact of any potential recession, there is one major difference between now and the previous real recession of 2008. This year, deployable private capital, including buyout, VC, growth and real estate, hit its highest level in history at $3.6 trillion – three times the figure in 2008.
“The availability of capital is driving buyers and investors to increase their acquisitions at a time when their pockets are full and high-growth Fintech companies are being sold at all-time affordable prices. Any potential recession won’t dampen Fintech M&A as it did in 2008.”
New technologies driving Fintech M&A
The Crypto & Blockchain segment experienced a significant jump in the number of deals in the past 12 months, with a total of 107 transactions recorded, a 75 per cent growth year over year.
As blockchain technology enables monetisation in the metaverse, companies are piling in to create digital assets. In February, investment firm Republic Realm paid a record $4.3 million for land in Sandbox, currently the largest metaverse platform. In May 2022, US-based Descrypto Holdings acquired OpenLocker, a provider of an online NFT trading portal & marketplace for $11 million.
Open banking APIs are expected to transform the market, following the introduction of European PSD2 regulation, requiring banks to offer APIs so that customer data can integrate more effectively with third-party services. Open banking features are expected to have 64 million users by 2024, a five-fold increase relative to 2020[1].
In May 2022, Yapily Limited acquired finAPI, a provider of open banking, data intelligence, Know Your Customer (KYC) and payment SaaS worldwide. Yapily has focused its efforts on official API integrations covering thousands of banks, consolidating its position in Germany and Europe.
Embedded finance provided by companies such as Stripe, Clearpay and Clear Bank, are on the rise. They embed payment and credit products in checkout seamlessly to satisfy customers’ needs. The global market for embedded finance is estimated to reach $7.2 trillion by 2030[2].
Healthy future for Fintech M&A
Miro Parizek continued: “Many Fintech companies raised significant investment capital recently. Some will grow and mature to become serial acquirers in their niches. Many other Fintechs will be sellers in what continues to be an attractive M&A market.
“As increasing numbers of private Fintech companies run out of money needed to fuel and maintain their operations, their options will be to raise capital from venture capital firms; sell to private equity or strategic acquirers; or entirely shut down business operations. These options make a sale appear attractive.
“At the same time, public companies with massive capital and PE with large amounts of dry powder, well financed late-stage high-growth private companies, and traditional financial services companies looking to remain relevant, are on the lookout for good assets in the sector.
“These two sides of the equation are bound to increase overall M&A activity in the Fintech sector.”
Hampleton Partners’ Fintech M&A Report analyses transactions, trends and activity across the Financial Management Solutions, Payments, Banking/Lending Technology, Crypto and Blockchain and Wealth & Capital Markets Technology segments.
Download the full Hampleton Partners’ Fintech M&A Market Report 2H2022: https://www.hampletonpartners.com/reports/fintech-report/
[1] McKinsey Report
[2] Forbes, 2022
ENDS
For interview requests, copy of the report or photography, please contact:
Jane Henry
Marylebone Marketing
[email protected]
+44 789 666 8155
Note to Editors:
Hampleton Partners’ M&A Market Reports are compiled using data and information from the 451 Research database (www.451research.com).
About Hampleton Partners
Hampleton Partners is at the forefront of international mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory for companies with technology at their core. Hampleton’s experienced deal makers have built, bought and sold over 100 fast-growing tech businesses and provide hands-on expertise and unrivalled advice to tech entrepreneurs and companies which are looking to accelerate growth and maximise value.
With offices in London, Frankfurt, Stockholm and San Francisco, Hampleton offers a global perspective with sector expertise in: Artificial Intelligence, Autotech, Cybersecurity, Digital Commerce, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, HR Tech, Insurtech and IT & Business Services.
Follow Hampleton on LinkedIn and Twitter.
For more information visit https://www.hampletonpartners.com.
Source: RealWire
Blockchain
OKX Proof of Reserves Ranked Highest Quality Among Major Exchanges as 11th Consecutive Monthly Reserves Report is Published
OKX, a leading global Web3 technology company and crypto exchange, has published its industry-best 11th consecutive monthly Proof of Reserves (PoR), showing balances of USD$11.2 billion in primary assets, as its PoR was given the highest quality rating among major exchanges.
OKX’s latest PoR comes days after Castle Island Ventures partner and blockchain and Proof of Reserves expert Nic Carter ranked OKX highest of all major centralized exchanges on its quality of Proof of Reserves. In his ranking, he cited OKX’s credibility, knowledge of leadership, demonstrated commitment to transparency and overall PoR quality as reasons for his positive assessment.
OKX’s PoR covers 22 commonly used digital assets and shows that OKX has maintained a reserve ratio exceeding 100% for 11 consecutive months across all those assets. In addition to BTC, ETH and USDT, the assets included are: USDC, XRP, DOGE, SOL, OKB, APT, DASH, DOT, ELF, EOS, ETC, FIL, LINK, LTC, OKT, PEOPLE, TON, TRX and UNI.
OKX’s current reserve ratios are as follows:
- BTC: 102%
- ETH: 103%
- USDT: 102%
OKX Global Chief Commercial Officer Lennix Lai said: “With our 11th consecutive Proof of Reserves report, we are reaffirming our unwavering commitment to greater transparency and trust within the crypto industry. At OKX, we believe that integrity is the cornerstone of our success, and our PoR stands as a testament to our dedication to safeguarding user assets. As we approach a full calendar year of consecutive PoR releases, we have never been more committed to continuing to raise the bar for transparency in our sector.”
In August, OKX conducted two Twitter surveys to measure the sentiment of the online community with regards to the importance of PoR and transparency. Poll results showed that 84% of respondents say monthly PoR reports are either ‘somewhat important’ or ‘very important‘ and 88% state that transparency is either ‘somewhat important’ or ‘very important’ when choosing which crypto platform to trust.
OKX has seen hundreds of thousands of users engage with its PoR, visit its PoR page and view their self-audits since first launching its PoR page in late 2022. The open-source verification tool allows users to independently verify OKX’s solvency and confirm their assets are backed by OKX reserves while maintaining their privacy.
OKX has published over 210,000 addresses for its PoR program, and will continue to allow the public to view its asset flows.
Users can view the latest PoR report, reserve ratios, and verify OKX’s solvency here.
Blockchain
ACX’s technology to power Indonesia Carbon Exchange
ACX (AirCarbon Exchange), operating its proprietary regulated environmental asset trading platform, is the technology provider for Indonesia’s carbon exchange hosted and operated by the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) after a competitive Request for Proposal process.
Launched on 26th September 2023, with its first carbon trades, Indonesia’s official carbon exchange, IDXCarbon, will play a vital role in reducing Indonesia’s carbon emissions and driving Indonesia’s transition to reach net zero emissions by 2060.
“With ACX support, IDXCarbon has reached a key milestone towards achieving net zero emission in 2060 or sooner. We anticipate a thriving and enduring collaboration with ACX that will continue to drive innovation and success, as the Indonesian carbon market develops.” said Iman Rachman, President Director of IDX.
IDXCarbon has been customised by ACX to meet the country’s unique requirements, as well as aligned with Indonesian institutions, including the National Registry System for Climate Change Control (SRN-PPI). This will ensure the exchange is compliant with Indonesia’s standards and procedures, as well as the requirements recently established by the OJK, the country’s financial services authority. ACX provides a complete end-to-end solution that utilises blockchain technology to ensure the transparency and auditability of all trades transacted on the exchange. With that, the exchange will play a central role and promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the Indonesian carbon market.
“We are honoured to be the technology provider for Indonesia’s carbon exchange and to contribute towards the country’s vision of a fair and inclusive carbon ecosystem,” said Thomas McMahon, co-CEO and co-Founder of ACX. “Our end-to-end solution will enable the exchange to provide comprehensive services. This will make it easier for companies to access and participate in the carbon market, ultimately driving down Indonesia’s carbon emissions and contributing to global sustainability efforts.”
Hum Wei Mei, Head of APAC and Global Head of Environmental Products, said: “Indonesia has a critical role to play in international climate action while IDXCarbon is at the heart of ensuring that Indonesia’s carbon market progresses as envisioned. As the technology provider to IDXCarbon, ACX is committed to working closely with IDX to implement a highly customised, iconic and state-of-the-art carbon exchange which will act as critical supporting infrastructure for Indonesia’s long-term plans & interests in emissions trading, carbon markets & climate action.”
With a global footprint covering Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, ACX has demonstrated itself to be a leading technology provider with a proven track record of designing and implementing carbon trading system worldwide, leveraging the company’s expertise and experience to ensure a robust and reliable platform for trading environmental assets.
Blockchain
Nex News Network Launches World’s First Blockchain-Integrated Web3 and Metaverse News Platform
Nex News Network, the pioneering media organization, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking platform, revolutionizing the way news and media are consumed. This year marks a momentous milestone as Nex News Network becomes the world’s first-ever blockchain integrated, Web3, and Metaverse news and media platform. With a fusion of cutting-edge technology and visionary media strategies, Nex News Network is set to redefine the media landscape.
A New Era in Media Industry: Nex News Network’s Unique Offering
Nex News Network has embarked on an extraordinary journey to bring the future of media to the present. As a trailblazer in the industry, the platform integrates blockchain technology, Web3, and Metaverse, delivering an unparalleled experience to users. This year, Nex News Network establishes itself as the vanguard in news and media, providing a platform that seamlessly connects diverse sources of information, making them accessible from anywhere, on any device.
Innovative Media Revolution
Nex News Network introduces a unique animation concept that transforms the traditional news and media industry. With this innovation, the animation seamlessly integrates with media and news content, sparking a revolutionary shift in how information is consumed. This innovation not only redefines the media industry but also catalyzes a new era of interaction, engagement, and understanding.
Empowering Users and Advertisers
Nex News Network brings a new dimension to user experience by creating an integrated platform that caters to a diverse range of interests and categories. Users can explore validated blockchain content, industry news, directories, event information, technology updates, and more. For advertisers, Nex News Network offers direct access to their target audience, bypassing intermediaries and providing real-time performance data for smarter decision-making.
With its focus on blockchain integration, Web3, and Metaverse, Nex News Network embraces the future of digital content. The Metaverse, an advanced digital realm, complements the platform, creating immersive experiences through augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI). Nex News Network pioneers the way for this interconnected digital world, offering users a new dimension of engagement and exploration.
A Call to the Future
Nex News Network is poised to reshape the media industry by introducing blockchain integration, Web3, and Metaverse technology. Through its visionary leadership, dedication to user experience, and commitment to innovation, Nex News Network is laying the foundation for a new era in news and media consumption. As the world’s first blockchain-integrated Web3, and Metaverse news platform, Nex News Network stands ready to redefine the media landscape.
Setting the Stage with NexNews Network – A New Era in Media Consumption and Engagement
NexNews Network pioneers a transformative approach to media consumption, driven by innovation and led by a dedicated team. With a focus on user experience, NexNews Network creates a dynamic space where users can seamlessly access news and media sources from various categories, transcending traditional boundaries.
Visionary Leadership – Founder Aakash Jugraj and the Power of Innovation
Under the visionary leadership of Aakash Jugraj, NexNews Network has positioned itself as a trailblazer in the industry. Backed by the reputable Shivaksh Media Group of Companies, the platform represents a fusion of expertise and innovation that sets a new benchmark for media excellence.
Founder Aakash Jugraj – A Driving Force for Media Innovation
At the helm of NexNews Network is Founder Aakash Jugraj, a visionary entrepreneur with a deep-rooted commitment to revolutionizing the media landscape. His forward-thinking approach has driven the platform’s mission to redefine publication creation, distribution, and consumption using Web3, Blockchain & Metaverse technologies.of Companies.
Aakash Jugraj, the driving force behind NexNews Network, envisions a media ecosystem that champions transparency, authenticity, and user-centric experiences. His vision aligns seamlessly with the ethos of Shivaksh Media Group of Companies, creating a formidable alliance for media innovation.
Continuous Industry Evolution: NexNews Network’s Transformative Role
NexNews Network signifies a departure from traditional media models, offering a continuous industry experience that transcends conventional boundaries. The platform’s transformative capabilities make it a pioneering force in providing a new-age media ecosystem that empowers users with unparalleled access and engagement.
Technology at the Forefront: Nex News Network’s Secure and Transparent Platform
Technologically adept, NexNews Network harnesses the power of blockchain integration, Web3, and Metaverse to ensure the highest level of security, authenticity, and transparency. This technological synergy enables users to engage with news and media content with utmost confidence.
Personalized User Experience – NexNews Network’s Tailored Approach
Through NexNews Network, users will enjoy a distinctly personalized experience. The platform’s integration of blockchain technology ensures that users can consume news and media content that aligns precisely with their interests, fostering deeper engagement and resonance.
Empowering Advertisers: Nex News Network Effective Advertising Platform
Advertisers will benefit from NexNews Network’s innovative approach by accessing a tailored platform that enables direct engagement with their target audience. The blockchain integration ensures a transparent and effective advertising experience, enabling advertisers to refine their strategies based on real-time performance data.
Elections
NexNews Network is poised to play a pivotal role in the upcoming election season. With its unique blend of blockchain integration, Web3, and Metaverse, the platform will facilitate informed decision-making by providing accurate and transparent information to voters.
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