02/04:Weekly News Round-Up - Biggest news in media and tech this week
Another busy full week - here I compiled the most important news of the week from Paypal to Snoop Dog we have it all!
PayPal to announce the launch of Crypto Checkout Services
Online payments operating system company, PayPal will next week launch a checkout service on its platform which will allow US consumers who hold bitcoin (bitcoin cash and litecoin) in their digital wallets to pay at millions of its online merchants globally. According to the company, the service will be available at all of its 29 million merchants in the coming months.
Influence Media Partners launches new fund to invest into Influential female Music Creators
Influence Media’s venture into music copyrights continues following the New York based entertainment investment firm’s launch into a new fund. The fund, carrying an initial value of $100 million is aimed at investing in award-winning catalogs of the music world’s most influential female music creators.
Government of Canada invests in Innovative Clean Technology
Owing to its commitment to ensuring the development of clean technologies to lower emissions, create jobs and sustain the economy, the Government of Canada on Wednesday announced a $2,890,000 investment in the University of Alberta's biojet technology. The investment will also support Lipid-to-Hydrocarbon (LTH), a technology set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry by 90% which is being spearheaded by the University.
Snoop Dogg to debut first NFT Collection on Friday
American Rapper Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. also known as Snoop Dogg has announced his intention to debut his first NFT collection on Friday 2nd of April 2020 via Crypto.com/NFT. The album titled “A Journey with the Dogg" will bring together Snoop Dogg's memories from his early years with art inspired by the NFT movement. Only eight pieces will be available in limited quantities with one piece being auctioned, and the other open edition piece available for one hour only.
45th US President of America, Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump have launched a website 45office.com, to serve their personal offices. This comes after announcing last week that Mr. Trump will be returning to social media soon with his own platform.
General Motors CEO postpones meeting with Black-owned Media
General Motors CEO, Mary Barra who has been fighting back against racist labels has postponed the firm’s meeting with a group of Black-owned media leaders originally scheduled for 1st of April 2021. The reason given is due to “a growing level of interest and energy around the meeting, and the desire to have a substantive and constructive dialogue.” GM’s statement also said that it intends to have the meeting in “smaller groups” instead of the original seven people; however, Allen Media Group’s management thinks the approach is not going to work.
Social Media reacts to unblocking of Suez Canal
Following efforts that led to the giant container vessel blocking the Suez Canal in Egypt being freed after a week, social media has been buzzing with memes and hashtags. ‘Put it back’ is strangely the trending internet meme to indicate revolt in response to news about the rescue, as many users shared jokes, videos, gifs and pictures to ‘mock’ their unusual demand.
As we are gearing up for a great The Digital Room episode on Bitcoin & Crypto, here are the most important news in #Fintech this week:
Mastercard joins FinTech Australia as Ecosystem Partner
American multinational financial services corporation, MasterCard has partnered with FinTech Australia as an ecosystem partner in a quest to become a leading source for advice, support and guidance to FinTech’s global payments sector. It will also be an official event partner for the 2021 Finnie Awards slated for later this year.
The Catalyst Fund opens applications for the Inclusive FinTech Talent Programme
The Catalyst Fund in partnership with the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance at the Cambridge University Judge Business school has opened applications for a three to a six-month paid internship. The opportunity will be with an impact-oriented FinTech startup in emerging markets and will provide the possibility of securing a full-time job.
Meniga partners with VISA to accelerate expansion within APAC Region
After recently securing $15.78 million during a strategic investment round, digital banking solutions provider Meniga has announced its latest partnership with VISA to enhance and speed up its expansion within the Asia Pacific region. Meniga will also join the Visa Ready Programme as part of the agreement as a certified FinTech Enablement Partner.
Pakistani FinTech start-up raises $7.2 million in seed round
A Pakistani FinTech start-up based in Islamabad, SadaPay has announced raising $7.2 million in a seed funding round. SadaPay CEO and founder, Brandon Timinsky hope that with the country having over 70% of its population under age 35, a refreshingly progressive regulator, a burgeoning unbanked middle class, and widespread smartphone adoption, the start-up will be a leader in the ecosystem in no time.
See you all next week and as always I am looking forward to hearing from you!