Fintech

I didn’t learn the words liquidity, inflation or information asymmetry on Neopets. That’s where I learned the mechanics.I learned what it meant to grind for currency (Neopoints), to save for something that kept getting more expensive, and to watch an item spike in price because everyone suddenly wanted it. I…

For much of the last decade, bank M&A premiums followed a familiar script: build scale, expand footprints, improve efficiency, and valuation would follow. That script is now being rewritten.As deal activity normalizes in early 2026, buyers are no longer underwriting size for its own sake. Instead, they are focusing on…

For much of the last decade, banks have been warned—by fintech challengers, shifting customer expectations, regulatory pressure, and now artificial intelligence—that disruption was coming. Many of the most credible banking predictions for 2026 suggest that the warning period is now over. Entire conferences and pilot programs were devoted to preparing…

For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy money, then a harsh funding winter befell them, causing numerous startups to fold. Last year, the industry stabilized and is now looking mature relative to the current…