In at the moment’s prime Europe, Center East and Africa information, UK investing app Freetrade surpasses funding aim by 800%; Sweden calls on Europe to tug the plug on bitcoin mining. Plus, Kenyan FinTech Asilimia closes $2M pre-seed funding, Pan-African agency M-KOPA’s pay-as-you-go mannequin, and UK lawmaker requires pressing BNPL regulation.
UK Investing App Freetrade Surpasses Fundraising Goal By 800% in First Day of Crowdfunding
U.Okay. investing app Freetrade exceeded its fundraising aim by greater than 800% in its first of seven days of fundraising on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, pulling in additional than 8.1 million kilos ($10.8 million), in keeping with Freetrade’s investment page. Greater than 6,100 traders have contributed investments, in keeping with Crowdcube. Freetrade, a commission-free investing app, has greater than 1 million customers and 1 billion kilos in consumer property, in keeping with the corporate’s crowdfunding video.
Sweden Calls on Europe to Pull the Plug on Bitcoin Mining
Sweden’s monetary and environmental regulators have known as on the European Union to tug the plug on proof-of-work bitcoin mining because of the unfavorable affect on the atmosphere, in keeping with a number of studies. Erik Thedéen, director basic of the Monetary Providers Authority of Sweden, and Bjorn Risinger, director basic of the Swedish Environmental Safety Company, are each apprehensive that crypto mining will trigger the nation to be unable to fulfill local weather obligations.
FinTech Asilimia Closes $2M Pre-Seed Funding to Grow Beyond Kenya
FinTech startup Asilimia raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding spherical, with $1 million coming from a variety of European Angel traders and $1 million in a debt spherical that included Bpifrance and GreenTec Capital Companions, in keeping with studies. The Kenyan startup mentioned the pre-seed funding will help staff progress and growth whereas debt funding will allow Asilimia to increase credit score to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Pan-African Asset Financing Model Changes Lender, Consumer Economics of Pay-as-You-Go Plans
Mayur Patel, chief business officer of M-KOPA tells PYMNTS that the pay-as-you-go mannequin utilized by the corporate to finance life-enhancing merchandise for underserved prospects in sub-Saharan Africa is extra inclusive than the BNPL service offered in additional mature credit score markets.
UK Lawmaker Calls for Urgent Regulation of Buy Now Pay Later Providers
The usage of purchase now, pay later (BNPL) in the UK practically quadrupled in 2020 to 2.7 billion kilos (about $3.6 billion) of transactions, in keeping with official knowledge from the Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA). Stella Creasy, a U.Okay. MP, has made but once more one other pressing name for BNPL regulation that can stop customers, particularly younger individuals, from taking over extra debt than they will afford.
