The Monday Roundup: what we are watching this week | June 30th

By Puja Sharma

The Monday Roundup sets the scene for the week’s biggest news stories, industry deals, and upcoming events. For Prime subscribers only.

Pay Later for Business

Alibaba.com has partnered with Balance to offer flexible payment options to SMEs in the United States. The collaboration aims to help businesses manage cash flow and access instant credit at checkout. Under the new arrangement, Alibaba.com’s US business customers can now select Balance’s ‘Pay Later for Business’ solution when placing orders. The embedded financing option provides eligible buyers with instant credit approval, allowing them to finance purchases and manage cash flow more effectively.

The initiative responds to the longstanding challenge many SMEs face in securing timely access to working capital. By embedding Balance’s technology directly into the Alibaba.com checkout process, business customers can spread payments and manage large orders without being restricted by immediate budget constraints.

Carmoola, the UK-based FinTech, has received a $381 million private asset-backed securities (ABS) facility in partnership with NatWest and Chenavari Investment Managers.

This triples Carmoola’s previous debt capacity and strengthens its ability to deliver simple, affordable, and accessible car finance directly to consumers across the UK.

Carmoola’s direct-to-consumer model removes traditional intermediaries, empowering buyers to arrange financing upfront through a seamless digital experience. By placing finance at the start of the car-buying journey, Carmoola enables customers to secure the best deals and take full control of their purchase.

The company’s rapid growth highlights strong demand for its ‘finance-first’ approach, with customer numbers doubling year-on-year as more drivers opt for a transparent, flexible alternative to conventional car finance. The new three-year facility supports Carmoola’s ambition to expand its reach to broader segments of the market while enhancing value for existing customers through competitive rates and a streamlined digital process.

future-ready and interoperable payments ecosystem

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) have launched SPaN to unify and govern Singapore’s core payment schemes.

SPaN has been established as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee by MAS and ABS, with Singapore’s Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) as its founding members. Bringing Singapore’s national payment schemes under a unified governance structure, SPaN will provide strong oversight, continuous payments innovation, and collaboration among key financial industry players.

The formation of SPaN enables Singapore’s ambition to advance a future-ready, secure and interoperable payments ecosystem. By consolidating the administration of national payment schemes, it will enable financial institutions to respond swiftly to the evolving needs of consumers and businesses in an increasingly digital economy, driving greater convenience, enhanced security and a seamless payment experience.

What is the Buzz

In 2024, global FinTech investment experienced a sharp decline, marking its lowest point since 2017. All major regions, including North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific, saw reduced funding levels. Despite the downturn, North America continued to lead in total investment volume, according to Statista.

The year was characterised by a significant drop in venture capital activity, both in terms of deal value and volume, while mergers and acquisitions (M&A) became the dominant form of investment. Certain FinTech sectors, such as payments, regulatory technology (RegTech), and wealth management technology (WealthTech), continue to attract investor interest, demonstrating resilience amid the broader slowdown. Notably, U.S.-based Stripe maintained a strong market presence, reflecting ongoing confidence in select FinTech leaders. Overall, the data suggests a cautious investment climate, with a shift in focus toward consolidation and strategic acquisitions rather than aggressive funding of new ventures.