Hey Fintech'ers 👋

📰 Fintecher Stories – April 13th, 2025 has officially landed — your fintech fix, served fresh for the Sunday afternoon scroll. 📱🌆

Whether you're wrapping up the weekend, clearing out your inbox, or easing into the week ahead, we’ve got your 5-minute dose of what mattered most.

This week: Mira Murati’s new AI venture reportedly targets a staggering $2B seed raise, Revolut’s valuation quietly climbs to $48B, Google launches tools to accelerate enterprise AI agents, Affirm teams up with Shopify, and Hawk bags $56M to fight financial crime.

So brew that afternoon tea 🍵, kick back, and get ahead of the week. 🚀✨

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Delving into the leading 5 fintech stories of the week:

🗞️ Story 1: "Mira Murati’s new AI venture targets a $2B seed round, setting records." 💡🚀

🗞️ Story 2: "Revolut valuation rises to $48B, according to new Schroders report." 📈💳

🗞️ Story 3: "Google unveils Agent Development Kit to fast-track AI agent deployment." 🤖🧰

🗞️ Story 4: "Affirm and Shopify team up to scale Shop Pay installments globally." 🌍🛍️

🗞️ Story 5: "Hawk raises $56M Series C to enhance banks’ financial crime defense." 🛡️💸

🗞 Story #1

Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, is reportedly seeking a $2 billion seed round for her new venture, Thinking Machines Lab, potentially marking the largest seed funding in history. The startup, still in its early stages with no product yet, has attracted significant investor interest due to Murati's reputation and the assembly of a team comprising several ex-OpenAI colleagues. The company aims to develop AI systems that are more accessible, customisable, and capable, positioning itself uniquely in the crowded AI landscape.

💡 Why It Matters: This ambitious funding goal underscores the escalating investor enthusiasm in the AI sector, especially for ventures led by seasoned experts like Murati. The substantial backing, despite the absence of a product, highlights the premium placed on talent and vision in the AI race. It also reflects a broader trend where the potential of AI to revolutionise industries is driving unprecedented investment levels.

📰 Read full story here

🗞 Story #2

At Google Cloud Next 2025, Google introduced its Agent Development Kit (ADK), an open-source framework designed to streamline the creation of AI agents. ADK allows developers to build and deploy AI agents with minimal coding, offering tools for precise control over agent behavior and orchestration. Integrated with Google's Gemini models and supporting various deployment options, ADK aims to accelerate the development of multi-agent systems across industries.

💡 Why It Matters: By lowering the barriers to AI agent development, Google's ADK democratizes access to advanced AI capabilities. This move could catalyze innovation across sectors, enabling businesses of all sizes to harness AI for automation and enhanced decision-making. It also positions Google as a pivotal player in shaping the future of AI applications.

📰 Read full story here

🗞 Story #3

Investment management firm Schroders has updated the valuation of its stake in Revolut, suggesting the fintech's overall valuation has risen to $48 billion. This marks a significant increase from previous estimates and reflects Revolut's continued expansion and diversification of services. The company's growth trajectory includes offerings in banking, insurance, and trading, contributing to its enhanced market position.

💡 Why It Matters: Revolut's rising valuation signals robust investor confidence in its business model and growth prospects. As fintechs increasingly challenge traditional banking paradigms, such valuations underscore the shifting dynamics in the financial services industry. Revolut's success could inspire similar ventures and intensify competition in the digital banking space.

📰 Read full story here

Story #4

Affirm has partnered with Shopify to accelerate the global rollout of Shop Pay Installments, extending the service beyond the U.S. to markets including Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe. This collaboration enables Shopify merchants to offer flexible payment options, enhancing customer experience and potentially boosting sales. The integration is designed to be seamless, requiring no additional development from merchants.

💡 Why It Matters: The global expansion of Shop Pay Instalments reflects the growing demand for flexible payment solutions in e-commerce. By simplifying the integration process for merchants, Affirm and Shopify are lowering the barriers to adopting BNPL services, which could lead to wider consumer adoption and increased sales volumes. This move also intensifies competition in the global payments landscape.

📰 Read full story here

🗞 Story #5

Djamo, a neobank targeting Francophone Africa, has secured $17 million in funding to expand its digital banking services. Currently serving over 1 million users in countries like Ivory Coast and Senegal, Djamo aims to enhance financial inclusion in a region where a significant portion of the population remains unbanked. The funding will support the development of new products and market expansion efforts.

💡 Why It Matters: Djamo's successful funding round underscores the growing recognition of Africa's fintech potential, particularly in underserved Francophone regions. By providing accessible digital banking solutions, Djamo addresses critical gaps in financial services, fostering economic empowerment and inclusion. This development reflects a broader trend of fintech innovation driving financial democratisation in emerging markets, presenting opportunities and challenges for both startups and established financial institutions aiming to serve these communities effectively.

📰 Read full story here

And that's a wrap fintech'ers, till next week. 🎬👋

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