Time to get slowly, cautiously, enthusiastic about blockchain
Tradestreaming would be the first to acknowledge that a lot of blockchain news is more buzz than substance. Heck, we even have a monthly Blockchain Hype Meter to show just that. However, we’d also be just as soon to admit that not all blockchain developments can be written off as speculative fiction. On this week’s episode of the Tradestreaming Podcast, we explore why financial professionals should start paying attention to the blockchain.
Oh, and also why making transactions completely anonymous isn’t going to go mainstream.
Robos continue to gain footing in finance
Robos are beginning to take on more prominent roles in banking. Though CEO slots are safe (for now), as far as customer service goes, banking chatbots are the up and coming thing. Bank of America’s solid — though overly simplified — understanding of what makes banking customers tick in the current market has them focused on chatbots and roboadvisors alongside digital payments.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor has taken a large step forward in helping to define technology’s role in asset management. This week, the DoL published a Q&A about its new fiduciary rule, and it’s beginning to make more sense.
Women in fintech support one another
It’s either a monumental or severely disappointing week for women worldwide, depending on the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections. While they may not have the nuclear codes, powerful women are using a combination of traditional and techie means to in an attempt to bankroll other women, seeding them with capital and support mechanisms to help them be successful.
Some of these initiatives are being made possible by the 2012 JOBS Act. To be honest, though, the crowdfunding revolution the ruling was supposed inspire hasn’t really taken off. Of course, women are also shaping fintech by simply working in the field. Tradestreaming got an inside view into a workday in the life of Crystal Eastman, head of marketing at online SMB supply chain financing firm, Behalf.
Closer than ever: ecommerce and finance
Ecommerce and finance have always been tight, and innovation in fintech has helped blur the lines between these two sectors even further. One example of this is a new collaboration between Provenir and Klarna, which has lowered cart abandonment rates by pre-approving consumer financing before a user even inputs all his or her deets. In other words, the transaction has been separated from the payment.
Another prime example of ecommerce/finance crossovers is Payoneer, which powers international mass payouts on marketplaces like Airbnb and Amazon. The startup is trying to fix the the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad sending and receiving of international payments for stuff.
Just one week left until Tradestreaming Money 2016!
Tradestreaming Money 2016 is the event to end all financial service events (well, until our next one). It’s turning into the premier top-tier digital financial services event of the year, with top digital execs from Citi, Fidelity, NYLife, CSFB, Vanguard, US Bank, MIT, BBVA, Cornerstone Advisors, Two Sigma, and QED Investors.