Tag: Wise

BetAlice appears to be operating without visible operator disclosure while remaining accessible across multiple domains despite Italian blackouts on some URLs. Our payment-rail review found a familiar offshore-casino stack: ChainValley behind cashier-branded methods (including Skrill/NETELLER labels), and an multiy-layered open-banking route with Paradis Tech Ltd shown as payee and Yapily/Wise Open Banking references in the flow.

Following FinTelegram's December 2025 exposé on the Winning.io / Scatters Group network, a whistleblower has provided documentary evidence confirming that the economic ownership and control structure traces directly to Starkeast Management B.V., controlled by Menno Jordaan. The whistleblower states: "The owner of these sites (all of them) is now, starkeast service owned by menno jordaan. he is the director of starscream aswell." 

Trustpilot is issuing a brutal verdict on crypto exchanges: Binance 1.4, Kraken 1.6, Bitstamp 1.7, Gemini 1.4, Blockchain.com 2.1—dominated by frozen-account horror stories and support dead ends. Only Coinbase and Bitpanda (3.9, Great) and Bybit (3.4, Average) escape “scam-level.” Fintechs like Revolut (4.6, Excellent) and Wise (4.3) show how far crypto’s CX still lags.

Bullish, the institutional-grade crypto exchange backed by high-profile investor Peter Thiel, has filed for a $100 million IPO on the NYSE (BLSH). This move comes at a pivotal time for the digital assets industry, reflecting renewed investor interest and significant regulatory developments. The IPO positions Bullish as a frontrunner among crypto exchanges seeking mainstream financial legitimacy and expanded institutional reach.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Wise CEO Kristo Käärmann £350,000 for failing to promptly disclose a tax default, citing a breach of Senior Management Conduct Rule 4. He was fined for deliberately failing to notify HMRC of a capital gains tax liability after he sold shares worth £10m in 2017. In September 2021, HMRC subsequently added Mr Käärmann to their public tax defaulters list.

In the rapidly evolving world of cyber finance, where the boundaries of traditional financial regulation blur, our partner, PayRate42, emerges as a trusted rating agency. Payrate42 is not just a benchmark for quality and trust; it's a beacon guiding merchants and consumers through the dynamic landscape of neobanks, fintechs, paytechs, and crypto service providers. List your business today!

In the fintech sector, two major players, Revolut and Wise, stand out for their distinct approaches to growth, product offerings, and regulatory strategies. Revolut is best known for its aggressive product development and expansion strategy, whereas Wise is highly successful with a single-product strategy. This comparative analysis delves into how these two fintech giants have carved unique paths in the digital finance landscape.

Wise, a London-based FinTech and payment institution, has reported a notable 23% growth in revenue and has upgraded its income guidance. Founded by Estonian entrepreneurs Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus in 2011, initially as TransferWise, the company is now listed on the London Stock Exchange. Wise is a kind of antithesis to London-based FinTech Revolut and focuses on product payment processing.

Fintech Wise's co-founder, Kristo Kaarmann, has become prominent in London's public markets. New data highlights that Kaarmann's stake in the foreign exchange payments company soared in value to an impressive £1.65 billion in 2023, marking a £600 million increase since the beginning of the year. This growth translates to an average daily gain exceeding £1.6 million. Not so bad for, really!

In a remarkable financial performance, UK fintech giant Wise has reported a substantial increase in profits and revenue in its latest half-year results, underpinned by favorable interest rates and growing customer engagement. The company’s total income, inclusive of interest income, soared to £656 million, marking a 58% year-over-year growth. Notably, its pre-tax profits surged by 280% to reach £194.3 million.

The world of fintech has been rocked once again by the astounding performance of Wise, which has proven that innovation and profitability can coalesce seamlessly. The latest Q2 2024 figures from the money transfer juggernaut underline its monumental ascent in the financial technology domain. On 7 July 2021, Wise went public with a direct listing on the London Stock Exchange and was valued at $11 billion. Currently, in the midst of the FinTech crisis, the market cap is still an impressive $8.5 billion.

The global financial landscape has undergone a seismic shift over the past two decades, with FinTech and cryptocurrencies at the forefront of this transformation. However, with innovation comes challenges, and the FinTech scene has seen its fair share of highs and lows. From the meteoric rise of companies like Wirecard to the subsequent crises faced by crypto giants, the journey has been tumultuous. Here is a summary and a glimpse into the future.