12 Jul 2021

Opinion

Letter from the Editor: Finance is becoming ambient infrastructure underneath everything, but what are we giving up

• Financial services are moving from a request-response model to an always on continuously interpreting background layer.
• As finance moves into AI based systems, a new struggle is emerging: banks own the accounts, fintechs own the experiences, but AI systems are positioning themselves to own interpretation.

Business of Fintech, Member Exclusive, Numbers with Narrative

Capital is flowing again, just not where the consensus says

• US fintech funding jumped 47% in Q1 2026, led by a surge in early-stage capital as investors shift focus to AI infrastructure.
• Massive influxes in Parallel Web and Rogo underline a flow of capital into agentic solutions.

Blockchain and Crypto

Stablecoins and wallets are being redesigned for systems where humans are no longer the primary users

• The next expansion phase for crypto-native settlement infrastructure could be driven primarily by AI agents.
• Circle and Coinbase are positioning for a future where AI agents can transact and operate as independent economic entities.

Member Exclusive, Podcasts, SMB Finance

The bank account is the product: Slash’s bet on vertical SMB banking

• Victor Cardenas is the co-founder and CEO of Slash, a $1.4 billion business banking platform built on one thesis: the company holding your bank account should also own all your financial software.
• Slash serves niche verticals like performance marketing agencies, import-export businesses, and more, with workflows no legacy bank has ever built for them.

10-Q

The Week in Market Moves | May 7–14, 2026

• This analysis tracks recent specific company developments and how markets responded, anchored to Thursday's close.
• Last week’s prominent moves came from SoFi, Remitly, Coinbase, Affirm, and Chase.