Blockchain
India FinTech Forum concludes IFTA 2021 with focus on financial inclusion and emerging technologies
India FinTech Forum’s IFTA 2021 saw 34 innovative product demos over 3 days with the felicitation of Stockal as Fintech Startup of the Year and IDfy as Fintech Scaleup of the Year. IFTA 2021 saw the participation of senior representatives from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and Tamil Nadu Government. It is the longest-running fintech event in India, and this was the 6th consecutive year of celebrating innovation in the Fintech sector.
Meet the most innovative companies in fintech
The 4-month assessment process culminated with recognising the most innovative companies in a number of fintech and allied fields from 800+ applications. The assessment framework was developed and managed by Deloitte, and Perfios felicitated the winners. Over 40 industry leaders were part of the eminent Jury and 50+ Speakers shared their valuable insights.
Past winners of IFTA include well-known names like Simpl, Capital Float, ZestMoney and Valocity Global, and have cumulatively raised over USD 3 billion in funding till date.
|
Winner at IFTA 2021 |
|
|
Fintech Startup of the Year |
Stockal |
|
Fintech Rising Stars (Runners-up to Fintech Startup of the Year) |
BukuWarung, AccuraScan, Money View |
|
Fintech Scaleup of the Year |
IDfy |
|
Fintech Leader of the Year |
Ravi Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, Upstox |
|
Woman Leader in Fintech |
Aarti Ramakrishnan, Co-Founder and COO, Crayon Data |
|
Most Innovative Fintech Product |
Pine Labs |
|
Best Fintech Consumer Lender |
Paisabazaar |
|
Best Fintech Business Lender |
InCred |
|
Best International Fintech in India |
MODIFI |
|
Best FinTech Ecosystem Partner |
Grameen Impact Ventures |
|
Most Innovative Bank of the Year |
IDFC FIRST Bank |
|
Financial Inclusion Initiative of the Year |
Jai Kisan |
|
Excellence in Payments |
Mswipe Technologies |
|
Best Use of AI in Fintech |
Marsview.ai |
|
Most Innovative Blockchain or Crypto Product |
Whrrl |
|
Best Innovation in RegTech |
Signzy |
|
Best Innovation in Wealth Management |
Stockal |
|
Best Technology Company for Fintech Solutions |
Zeta |
|
Most Innovative Neo Bank |
Open Financial Technologies |
|
Excellence in InsureTech |
Digit Insurance |
The list of winners is available at: www.indiafintech.com
Enablers for fintech growth
Fintech’s growing importance can be seen from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s participation in the upcoming fintech InFinity Forum organized by IFSCA and launch of Tamil Nadu’s FinTech Policy by Chief Minister Shri M K Stalin. Mr. Sandip Shah, Head- IFSC Dept, GIFT City informed the IFTA audience that GIFT City is the only location today in India that has been recognised and notified as an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
Ms. Pooja Kulkarni, IAS, MD and CEO, Guidance Tamil Nadu elaborated on the multifarious initiatives being taken under the Fintech Policy for fintech companies including a Fintech Governing Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Minister of Industries, development of a Fintech City with built-up space of 1 million sq.ft in Chennai, Neo-TIDEL Parks in Tier II and III cities, power infrastructure, connectivity, cybersecurity, disaster recovery centre at Trichy, funding avenues and reduced compliance burden.
Drivers of fintech growth in India
Companies including PayU, CashRich, Perfios, Huobi Global, KUDOS Finance, TransUnion CIBIL and Miami Fintech came together to power discussions on the opportunities for upcoming technologies, challenges and way forward to capitalise on the next 2-3 years. Mr. Jitendra Gupta, Founder and CEO, Jupiter and Advisory Committee Member of India FinTech Forum noted, “The India Stack has been game changing alongside Aadhaar. Government initiatives and regulatory sandbox for fintechs have been very helpful. Availability of capital in a vibrant ecosystem is one of the key drivers of fintech growth.”
Fintech companies in India are riding the global innovation wave despite the pandemic. This is supported by the number of unicorns in India that are fintech companies. Mr. Rajesh Kumar, MD and CEO, TransUnion CIBIL had a very positive outlook for growth of fintech companies, and said, “This is a dynamically evolving ecosystem where collaboration, competition and convergence exist in equal measures. Fintech sector players must take into consideration a very strong focus on data security norms, privacy laws and strong governance framework in their quest for growth.”
Upcoming innovation in global payments
Ms. Praveena Rai, COO, NPCI, noted that global payment systems were traditionally offered by large monolith institutions with payment infrastructure in various countries but now we have popular country-specific payment systems also. There is a need to look at how these payment systems can start operating together so that a network of payment systems can get created. The recently announced plan from the RBI and MAS to link UPI and Singapore’s PayNow will be useful. She pointed out, “There is a need to look at those payment solutions that can operate in an offline manner.” Global payments is likely to be a very significant revenue pool for fintech companies, given the current high cost of international transactions, and potential to bring more efficiency, transparency, and speed to the same. Mr. Mohit Gopal, SVP at PayU cautioned that vanilla payment products tend to have very low margins, so it is important to find other products to get those margins.
Mr. Vincent Lau, MD – International Operations, Huobi Global spoke about recent global trends such as NFT, gaming and metaverse, and how cryptocurrencies could allow unbanked people to earn, invest and transact.
Mr. Ramgopal Subramani, COO, Perfios noted that India FinTech Forum’s IFTA continues to be one event where you get to know not only what is happening in India but also globally. He said that it was inspiring to know that the future is bright in the hands of the startups that presented their fintech innovation.
Mr. Sougata Basu, Founder, CashRich and Executive Committee Member of India FinTech Forum, said, “IFTA 2021 gave us an opportunity to see some amazing innovation done by fintech firms during the year in spite of the challenges caused by the pandemic. Several fintech companies have created solutions for true financial inclusion using the power of technology.”
bybit lucky
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (BlackRock, Plume, SEALSQ, Hedera, Deutsche Bank, KuCoin)
Blockchain technology continues to drive innovation across industries, reshaping finance, infrastructure, and philanthropy. Today’s news roundup explores exciting developments in blockchain ETFs, tokenization funding, quantum-resistant chips, public blockchain initiatives, and impactful social projects. Here’s a deep dive into the latest blockchain headlines:
BlackRock ETF Embraces Blockchain with First Muni Bond Purchase
BlackRock’s blockchain-focused ETF has made its first foray into municipal bonds, signaling increased confidence in integrating blockchain technology with traditional finance. The ETF’s strategic investment demonstrates how blockchain can enhance transparency and efficiency in bond markets.
By tokenizing municipal bonds, BlackRock aims to simplify trading and settlement processes while reducing associated costs. This development underscores the growing role of blockchain in transforming financial instruments and fostering greater market accessibility.
Source: Yahoo Finance
Plume Secures Funding for Tokenization Platform
Blockchain fintech company Plume has raised significant funding to advance its tokenization platform. The company’s innovative approach enables businesses to convert real-world assets into digital tokens, streamlining asset management and unlocking liquidity.
Tokenization is rapidly gaining traction as a game-changer in sectors such as real estate, art, and commodities. Plume’s success reflects a broader trend of investment in blockchain solutions that bridge the gap between traditional assets and decentralized technologies.
Source: Fortune
SEALSQ and Hedera Partner for Quantum-Resistant Blockchain Chips
SEALSQ and Hedera have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to develop quantum-resistant chips designed to secure blockchain infrastructure. These advanced chips will provide robust protection against future quantum computing threats, ensuring the integrity of blockchain networks.
As quantum computing capabilities evolve, safeguarding blockchain ecosystems becomes increasingly critical. This partnership highlights the importance of proactive measures in maintaining the resilience and trustworthiness of decentralized systems.
Source: The Quantum Insider
Deutsche Bank’s Public, Permissioned Blockchain Initiative
Deutsche Bank’s Layer 2 blockchain solution is set to go public and operate as a permissioned network, according to its tech partner. This initiative aims to strike a balance between accessibility and security, leveraging blockchain to streamline financial services and enhance operational efficiency.
The decision to adopt a public, permissioned model reflects a growing trend among enterprises seeking to harness the benefits of decentralization while maintaining control over sensitive data. Deutsche Bank’s approach could serve as a blueprint for other financial institutions exploring blockchain adoption.
Source: CoinDesk
KuCoin’s “Light Up Africa” Initiative Brings Hope to Thousands
Cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has made a significant impact through its “Light Up Africa” donation ceremony in Ghana, benefiting 36,000 children across the continent. The initiative combines blockchain technology with philanthropy to address energy poverty and support education.
By leveraging blockchain for transparency in charitable contributions, KuCoin sets an example of how the crypto industry can drive meaningful social change. The project demonstrates the potential of blockchain to empower communities and foster sustainable development.
Source: PR Newswire
Industry Implications and Key Takeaways
Today’s developments highlight the transformative potential of blockchain across multiple domains:
- Integration with Traditional Finance: BlackRock’s ETF underscores the synergy between blockchain and established financial systems.
- Tokenization Trends: Plume’s funding success reflects the growing demand for digital asset solutions.
- Quantum-Resistant Technologies: SEALSQ and Hedera’s partnership addresses emerging cybersecurity challenges.
- Enterprise Blockchain Adoption: Deutsche Bank’s public, permissioned network showcases the adaptability of blockchain in financial services.
- Social Impact: KuCoin’s philanthropic efforts illustrate blockchain’s capacity to drive positive societal outcomes.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (BlackRock, Plume, SEALSQ, Hedera, Deutsche Bank, KuCoin) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
-
Blockchain5 days agoBridging Innovation and Regulation: How Yellow Network is Transforming Non-Custodial Trading in a Pro-Crypto Future
-
Blockchain6 days ago
Prosper Adds 7,000 More ASIC Miners from BITMAIN To Drive Tokenization of Hashrate as Multichain RWA ; Targets 170MW Capacity With New Strategic Round
-
Blockchain Press Releases5 days agoHTX Ventures Identifies Five Rapidly-Growing Sectors in 2024, Expects Positive Crypto Regulations Driven by Trump Next Year
-
Blockchain5 days ago
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Aethir, Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi, Qubetics, )
-
Blockchain3 days ago
50,000+ Mined Coins and 100,000 New Users: EMCD Summarizes 2024
-
Blockchain6 days agoLoan Brokers Market Opportunities and Strategies Report to 2033 – Loan Brokers Market Poised for Strong Growth, Forecasted to Reach $947.9 Billion by 2033
-
Blockchain4 days agoBuilding Bridges in Crypto: Bybit Sparked Dialogues and Joined Industry Leaders at Bitcoin MENA
-
Blockchain Press Releases4 days agoDubai Police Team Triumphs at KuCoin Sponsored 2024 Dubai Open Gov Padel Cup
