WealthTech

Stock trading app Freetrade $69m in a Series B round and has reached a post-money valuation of $366m.

Challenger bank Revolut has applied for a full banking licence in the US, filing a draft application with the FDIC and California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which would allow the startup to expand its services across all 50 states.

Challenger bank Zopa raised a £20m round led by IAG Silverstripe to help the firm further expand its footprint.

San Francisco-based FinTech Plaid, co-founded by Zach Perret and William Hockey, is raising $600m in new funding and will reportedly be valued at as much as $15bn, according to The Information.

Of the 41 FinTech investment deals last week, companies in three sectors, in particular, proved to be exceptionally successful as the list of FinTech unicorns continues to grow.

With the advent of technology people have become accustomed to improved experiences and better access to data. Digital distribution and reporting technology enables fund managers to transform their operations to be more collaborative with investors and be much more transparent.

Financial services firm Chime is in early talks with investment banks on a new stock market flotation which could potentially value the startup at $30bn, Reuters reported.

Crypto infrastructure provider Fireblocks has raised $133m to fuel its efforts towards providing traditional banks and FinTechs with digital asset custody, transfer and settlement infrastructure.

London-based FinTech Pollinate has closed a $50m Series C round led by Insight Partners.

Nigeria-based challenger bank Kuda Bank hauled in a $25m Series A round to boost its banking services for Africans.