Finance Trends

Financial investments made into projects and technologies associated with Web3, the third generation of the World Wide Web characterized by decentralization and openness. Web3 funding has seen a significant rise since 2021, with investors contributing around USD 94 billion globally, driven by the growing interest in decentralized technologies and blockchain. This funding primarily benefits startups and companies developing decentralized applications, blockchain solutions, and other Web3-related innovations.

The process of overseeing and managing relationships with external entities that provide goods, services, or perform functions on behalf of an organization. Effective third-party management ensures that these external entities comply with the organization's standards, policies, and regulatory requirements, and that they deliver quality and value. It is crucial for organizations that rely on vendors, suppliers, contractors, and other business partners to mitigate risks and achieve strategic objectives.

Float is a Canadian business finance platform that offers smart corporate cards, next-day bill payments, and high-yield accounts to streamline expense management for companies. Their services include expense management, accounting automations, and real-time reporting, all integrated into a single platform designed for Canadian teams. Float primarily targets Canadian businesses seeking to automate and control their corporate spending while earning cashback and interest on their balances.

Insurance Technology, or InsurTech, involves the application of technological innovations to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the insurance industry. It encompasses a range of technologies including AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, big data analytics, mobile technology, telematics, and digital platforms, aiming to disrupt traditional insurance models by providing more efficient, customer-friendly, and cost-effective solutions. InsurTech primarily benefits insurance companies, policyholders, and tech startups focused on the insurance sector.

Financial service enabling cryptocurrency holders to lend their digital assets to borrowers in exchange for interest payments. This service typically involves a lending platform that acts as an intermediary, ensuring both parties meet their obligations and often requiring borrowers to provide collateral to secure the loan. Crypto lending is primarily targeted at individuals or institutions looking to earn passive income on their crypto holdings or those needing liquidity without selling their assets.

Platform that provides APIs for accessing real-time and historical data from over 40 blockchain chains and various protocols. BitQuery supports data retrieval through Websockets, SQL, and Cloud services, offering comprehensive data solutions for blockchain analytics and development. The platform is primarily targeted at developers, analysts, and businesses seeking detailed blockchain data for various applications.

Fraudulent transactions where scammers generate fake USDT (Tether) transactions on the blockchain. These transactions create false transfer records in the user's wallet without their knowledge, using phishing contracts to forge sender and recipient addresses. This scam primarily targets cryptocurrency users, potentially leading to financial losses if they act on these fake records.

Concept that combines elements of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) to bridge the gap between conventional financial systems and blockchain-based financial systems. Hybrid finance aims to provide the security, trust, and regulatory compliance of traditional finance while leveraging the efficiency, transparency, and innovation of decentralized finance. It primarily targets financial institutions, blockchain developers, and regulatory bodies seeking to integrate and optimize both financial paradigms.

A wealth management firm that provides a range of services to multiple families. These services often include investment management, estate planning, tax services, philanthropy, and other financial planning services, offering a more comprehensive and personalized approach compared to traditional financial advisory services. Multi-family offices primarily cater to the complex financial needs of wealthy families seeking tailored and holistic financial solutions.

Field of study that focuses on the moral implications and societal impacts of artificial intelligence. It involves ensuring that AI systems are designed and used in ways that are fair, transparent, accountable, and do not cause harm, addressing issues such as bias, transparency, accountability, privacy, autonomy, safety, and employment impact. AI ethics is crucial for developers, policymakers, and society at large to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

Company that automates the full cycle of money movement for businesses, offering products that facilitate payment initiation, approvals, and reconciliation. Modern Treasury differentiates itself by providing both a web app and an API, enabling businesses to monitor and reconcile payments efficiently and with ease. The company's services are primarily targeted at businesses looking to streamline their financial operations and enhance transparency in money movement.

Bitcoin mining technology company that manages data centers across various locations. CleanSpark, Inc. differentiates itself by focusing on sustainable and efficient energy solutions for its mining operations, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. The company's services are primarily targeted at investors and businesses involved in the cryptocurrency market, seeking reliable and eco-friendly mining solutions.

Digital asset and cryptocurrency created by Ripple Labs Inc., designed to facilitate fast, low-cost international money transfers. XRP transactions are validated by a consensus protocol among a network of servers, distinguishing it from other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It is primarily used as a bridge currency in the Ripple network to facilitate the exchange of different fiat currencies, targeting financial institutions and payment providers.

Cryptocurrency project initiated by undergraduate students at Kozminski University in Warsaw, Poland, in 2019. It aims to create a platform for students and educational institutions to create and manage their own tokens, integrating blockchain technology into the academic environment and promoting financial education. The primary target demographic includes students and educational institutions interested in blockchain technology and tokenization.

Mobile application developed by Minego Inc. that allows users to earn cryptocurrency. The app includes ads and in-app purchases and features a reference system to reward active users, differentiating it from other cryptocurrency earning apps by incentivizing user engagement. MineGo primarily targets individuals interested in earning cryptocurrency through mobile activities and referrals.

Blockchain platform designed to facilitate the creation and use of decentralized applications (DApps). It emphasizes scalability and security, offering fast transaction speeds and low fees through data sharding and fast finality. Harmony is suitable for applications like social finance and community AI that require efficient on-chain transactions.

Financial service model where lending capabilities are directly integrated into nonfinancial platforms or applications. This integration allows users to access credit offerings seamlessly within the platform they are already using, enhancing user experience and convenience. Embedded lending primarily benefits consumers and businesses seeking quick and easy access to credit without the need to switch between different service providers.

Decentralized indexing protocol designed to organize blockchain data and make it accessible through GraphQL, an open-source data query language for APIs. It enables decentralized applications to efficiently access accurate on-chain data, differentiating itself by providing a robust and scalable solution for querying blockchain information. The Graph is primarily targeted at developers and organizations building decentralized applications that require reliable and efficient access to blockchain data.

Mobile application designed to assist users in understanding and improving their sleep and energy levels through data-driven insights and wearable technology. It differentiates itself by integrating with various wearable devices to provide personalized recommendations and actionable insights for better health and wellness. The app primarily targets individuals looking to enhance their sleep quality and overall energy levels through technology-driven solutions.

Technology platform offering ESG insights through machine learning and big data to aid in responsible investment decisions. It differentiates itself by providing comprehensive sustainability assessments, enabling users to evaluate the environmental, social, and governance performance of their investments. The platform primarily targets investors and financial institutions seeking to integrate sustainability into their decision-making processes.

Digital platforms designed to simplify the process of paying rent, offering features such as splitting rental payments, building credit, and conducting secure transactions. These applications differentiate themselves by providing convenience and efficiency, often without weekly limits, to enhance the rent payment experience. Rent payment apps primarily benefit tenants and landlords seeking streamlined and reliable methods for managing rental transactions.

Decentralized financial service enabling users to lend and borrow cryptocurrencies via smart contracts on blockchain platforms. It provides opportunities for earning interest and participating in platforms like Aave, Compound, and MakerDAO, differentiating itself through the use of blockchain technology and decentralized protocols. DeFi lending primarily benefits cryptocurrency holders and investors seeking to earn passive income or access liquidity without traditional financial intermediaries.

A type of blockchain technology that integrates features of both public and private blockchains. Hybrid blockchains offer a customizable solution where certain data can be kept private while other data can be made public, leveraging the benefits of transparency, security, and control over data access. This technology is particularly beneficial for organizations that require a balance between privacy and transparency, such as financial institutions and supply chain management companies.

Mechanisms in blockchain technology or social impact measurement used to verify and validate positive social or environmental impacts. In blockchain, digital tokens are employed to authenticate and track the effectiveness of initiatives, while in social impact measurement, various methods and evidence are used to assess the success of social programs and services. These mechanisms are valuable for organizations and stakeholders aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in their social or environmental efforts.

New York City-based neobank that operates primarily through its mobile app, offering online banking services. It differentiates itself from traditional brick-and-mortar banks by providing a seamless digital banking experience through partnerships with Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank. Current Bank primarily targets tech-savvy individuals seeking convenient and modern banking solutions.

Cryptocurrency token launched in 2021, operating on the BNB Smart Chain (BEP20) platform. Rewards Token (REWARDS) is designed to provide incentives and rewards within its ecosystem, differentiating itself by leveraging the efficiency and scalability of the BNB Smart Chain. It primarily targets users and investors interested in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain-based reward systems.

An experienced executive who provides part-time leadership to companies, offering strategic guidance and management expertise without the need for a full-time commitment. This role allows businesses to benefit from high-level executive skills and insights while maintaining flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Fractional CEOs are particularly beneficial for startups, small to medium-sized enterprises, or companies undergoing transitions that require seasoned leadership without the expense of a full-time CEO.

Ensuring the integrity and safety of smart contracts by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and potential exploits. This involves practices such as code audits, formal verification, adherence to best coding practices, extensive testing, and bug bounty programs to enhance the security of smart contracts. The primary beneficiaries of smart contract security are developers, blockchain platforms, and users who rely on the secure execution of automated agreements.

Research and advisory firm known for its market analysis and investment strategies. Fundstrat provides predictions on stock market trends and cryptocurrency values, with notable recommendations including core portfolio holdings like Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla. The firm primarily targets investors and financial professionals seeking informed insights and strategic guidance on market movements.