Blockchain
Enigma Spins Off New Lending Platform To Help Small Businesses Get Loans
Enigma, a data science company that provides comprehensive intelligence about the financial health and identity of more than 30 million U.S. businesses, announces the spin-off of Prime, a lending platform that will make it easier for financial institutions to extend loans to small and medium businesses (SMB).
More than 50% of small businesses do not have sufficient access to financing, according to a recent Federal Reserve Survey, and the pandemic has introduced even more challenges for small business owners. Small business lending is often limited by the inability of financial institutions to assess the risk of extending credit to a given business.
Community and regional banks have especially faced challenges providing financing to the small businesses in their communities due to limited resources and a lack of reliable data about business health. Although these banks have strong relationships in their local economies, the high cost of originating and servicing small business loans has caused them to struggle to compete with large financial institutions.
Prime will broaden access to advanced data analytics, risk modeling, and capital markets to smaller financial institutions like community banks, as well as more established lenders. This will ultimately lower the cost of capital for small businesses, as more banks will be able to efficiently originate, monitor, and securitize small business loans.
Prime’s dashboard will allow banks to upload loan books and see advanced indicators like Enigma’s data on business revenue and growth, in order to make risk and lending decisions more efficiently and confidently. With Prime, small banks will be able to gain improved insights into their SMB credit portfolios and will finally be able to syndicate, swap, and securitize exposures.
Enigma is partnering with leaders in the small business financing space, including Capital One, Third Point Ventures, Customers Bank, and NEA to launch Prime with a funding commitment of $49 million. Prime, which will begin serving the market in the second half of 2022, will provide new loan opportunities for lenders while opening up a new financing channel for small businesses.
Prime’s lending solutions will be powered by Enigma’s proprietary SMB identity and financial health data, covering more than 30 million U.S. businesses. Enigma’s data provides unique visibility into the monthly revenues, growth, and detailed firmographics of a small business.
Prime’s launch partners provide a range of deep experience with SMB lending.
Capital One, a current Enigma client and investor through Capital One Ventures, has seen firsthand how better data about small businesses leads to growth. Capital One brings unparalleled expertise in the small business ecosystem, acquired by listening to and learning from the millions of businesses they serve every day. Capital One is committed to supporting all businesses, from budding entrepreneurs and growth-stage companies to more established, high-revenue enterprises.
Third Point Ventures, an investor in Enigma and one of the early investors in the revolutionary consumer lending platforms Upstart and SoFi, will bring expertise in developing securitization programs to Prime. While over 10% of consumer loans per year are securitized, less than 1% of small business loans are securitized, limiting capital liquidity and financing availability.
Customers Bank is a digital-forward top 100 bank in the nation with nearly $20 billion in assets that used technology to participate in approximately 347,000 Paycheck Protection Program loans with an aggregate value of $10 billion through the COVID-19 Pandemic, and recently launched a blockchain-based real-time payments platform for cryptocurrency and digital asset institutions.
NEA is a leading global venture capital firm and early investor in Enigma. NEA has partnered with founders on initial go-to-market strategy for many successful platforms like Jet.com and Coursera.
“Building on our success in digital consumer lending, bringing digital lending to the SMB market is a logical and important strategic priority,” said Customers Bank President & CEO Sam Sidhu. “We are excited to be a co-creator of Prime using insightful data to craft and shape products and services to the specific requirements of each current and prospective borrower, depositor, and specialty financing customer as we help them take on tomorrow.”
Enigma CEO Hicham Oudghiri will be acting as executive chairman and interim CEO of Prime during the transition period. The new leadership team will be in place by the first half of 2022. “We are excited about what the months ahead will look like, knowing Prime’s mission is to unlock growth and lending for all kinds of communities,” said Oudghiri.
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (Chainlink Labs, BlackRock, Fidelity, Dynamite Blockchain)
Exploring the Frontlines of Blockchain Innovation and Adoption
The blockchain industry continues to shape the future of finance, governance, and technology. Today’s briefing covers a range of key developments, from Australia’s crypto crackdown to Chainlink Labs’ expansion, Nevada’s innovative blockchain-driven electoral security, and updates on institutional Bitcoin adoption.
Australia’s Crypto Shakeup: A Looming Exodus for Blockchain Startups?
Australia’s blockchain and crypto sectors face a tumultuous period as nearly 30% of the country’s crypto-related businesses are projected to close operations by 2024. This decline follows increased regulatory scrutiny and diminishing investor confidence, as outlined in a report by KPMG.
The tightening regulatory environment has fueled debates about whether these measures protect consumers or hinder innovation. Advocates argue that clear regulations are crucial for building trust and stability in blockchain ecosystems, while critics fear they might stifle entrepreneurial spirit in the country.
This development could serve as a cautionary tale for other nations walking the fine line between fostering innovation and enforcing compliance.
Source: Cointelegraph
Breaking Down Institutional Bitcoin Adoption
Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is on the rise, marking a significant milestone for blockchain’s integration into mainstream finance. A new report reveals how companies are leveraging Bitcoin as a reserve asset, while financial giants explore Bitcoin-backed investment products to attract both retail and institutional clients.
While adoption is accelerating, barriers remain. Regulatory uncertainty, volatility, and infrastructure gaps hinder broader integration. However, with asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity increasingly embracing Bitcoin ETFs, institutional interest appears to be solidifying the cryptocurrency’s position as “digital gold.”
This trend signifies blockchain technology’s growing legitimacy in traditional financial systems, offering a pathway for further innovation and integration.
Source: Bitcoinist
Nevada Implements Blockchain for Election Security
In a pioneering move, Nevada has integrated blockchain technology to enhance electoral security and prevent fraud. This development comes in response to a 2020 incident involving fraudulent electors, with blockchain now being used to verify the authenticity of electoral certificates and records.
The immutable and transparent nature of blockchain ensures tamper-proof data integrity, making it an ideal solution for secure electoral processes. Nevada’s initiative could serve as a model for other states and countries grappling with election integrity issues.
By leveraging blockchain for governance, Nevada showcases how this technology can go beyond finance to address critical societal challenges.
Source: 8 News Now
Dynamite Blockchain Rebrands and Charts a New Path
Dynamite Blockchain has announced a strategic rebranding initiative to align its corporate vision with emerging trends in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and enterprise solutions. The rebranding effort includes an updated logo, a new corporate mission, and a pivot toward offering scalable blockchain solutions for businesses.
The company’s refreshed focus aims to position Dynamite Blockchain as a leader in enterprise blockchain adoption, helping organizations integrate decentralized solutions seamlessly into their existing frameworks.
This rebranding underscores the importance of adaptability in the rapidly evolving blockchain space, where staying relevant often means redefining one’s identity.
Source: GlobeNewswire
Chainlink Labs Expands to Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Chainlink Labs, the developer of the blockchain oracle network Chainlink, has established a new presence in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This strategic expansion aims to tap into the Middle East’s growing blockchain ecosystem and foster collaborations with financial institutions in the region.
By entering ADGM, Chainlink Labs signals its intent to advance blockchain-powered financial solutions, with a focus on enhancing smart contract utility and adoption. The move also underscores the region’s increasing role as a hub for blockchain innovation.
This expansion reinforces Chainlink’s position as a key player in bridging on-chain and off-chain systems, further enabling the growth of decentralized applications worldwide.
Source: PR Newswire
Emerging Trends and Insights
- Regulatory Challenges: Australia’s crypto downturn reflects the broader tension between innovation and regulation, offering lessons for global blockchain players.
- Institutional Momentum: The rising adoption of Bitcoin by financial giants suggests a pivotal shift in the role of cryptocurrencies in traditional markets.
- Blockchain Beyond Finance: Nevada’s electoral security innovation highlights blockchain’s potential to address societal issues beyond financial services.
- Corporate Evolution: Dynamite Blockchain’s rebranding illustrates the industry’s emphasis on staying agile and forward-looking.
- Global Expansion: Chainlink Labs’ move into ADGM underscores the Middle East’s emergence as a critical blockchain innovation hub.
Key Takeaways
- Blockchain’s application in governance and security, as seen in Nevada, demonstrates its potential for societal transformation.
- Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is solidifying its status as a mainstream financial asset, even amid regulatory hurdles.
- Strategic rebranding efforts, such as Dynamite Blockchain’s, reflect the dynamic nature of the blockchain industry.
- Expansions into regions like the Middle East signal blockchain companies’ focus on tapping into emerging markets.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (Chainlink Labs, BlackRock, Fidelity, Dynamite Blockchain) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Bitget Wallet Partners with YouHodler to Launch Exclusive YHDL Token Airdrop Campaign
VAP Group Set to Host Second Edition of Global AI Show in Dubai
-
Blockchain7 days agoBlocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – A Daily News Briefing (21x, Sonic Labs, Ripple Labs, Uranium Investments, Pantera Capital,
-
Blockchain Press Releases6 days agoKuCoin Lists GOATS, Enhancing Gaming Experiences in the TON Ecosystem
-
Blockchain Press Releases6 days agoBybit P2P Enters Holiday Season with Festive Rewards
-
Blockchain5 days ago
Alexander Guseff Appointed CEO of Layer 1 Blockchain Tectum
-
Blockchain6 days ago
Mercurity Fintech Announces Unaudited Financial Results for First Half 2024
-
Blockchain7 days ago
BIT Mining Announces Commitment to Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE) Mining, Bringing Increased Profitability
-
Blockchain5 days ago
Prosper Powers Bitcoin MENA 2024 as Official Hashrate Sponsor
-
Blockchain Press Releases5 days agoBitcoin Breaks $100K Amid Market Volatility: November Option Volatility Report by Bybit and Block Scholes
