fintech regulators

A claim circulating among Indian borrowers promotes instant loan apps for 2026 that promise fast approval even for people with low CIBIL scores, citing NBFC lenders and new RBI-registered loan apps. Interest is high among people seeking quick credit, but regulators have repeatedly warned that many such apps are unlicensed and borrowers should verify an app's NBFC partner and RBI registration before sharing personal data.

Regulators in South Sudan have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cybersecurity in the country's financial technology sector. The agreement is intended to improve coordination on digital security as fintech services expand. Details about the specific agencies involved and the measures planned under the deal have not yet been widely reported.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has formally registered Revolut as the country's 27th bank. The move gives the global fintech company full banking status in New Zealand, letting it operate under the same regulatory framework as established lenders. It marks another step in Revolut's international expansion as it seeks banking licences in multiple markets, and observers see it as a sign of fintech firms gaining acceptance from traditional regulators.

Cloud software company Mirantis has joined FINOS, the Fintech Open Source Foundation, aiming to advance cloud-native infrastructure built to financial-sector standards. The move places Mirantis alongside banks and technology firms collaborating on open-source projects for financial services, and signals growing industry interest in open, interoperable tooling for regulated environments. Details on specific contributions were not immediately provided.

Bybit chief executive Ben Zhou spoke at Hong Kong FinTech Week, arguing that the next phase of finance is not traditional finance and crypto replacing each other, but the two converging through artificial intelligence and tokenization. His remarks position the crypto exchange as part of a broader mainstreaming of digital assets within regulated financial systems.

Africanews examines how Africa's mobile banking systems, led by services like M-Pesa, outpaced Europe in digital financial inclusion and what lessons European banks and regulators could draw. The piece highlights leapfrogging over traditional banking infrastructure and faster adoption of mobile payments, prompting debate about why Europe lags in everyday mobile money use despite its wealth.

Fintech startup OPay has halted its planned initial public offering after becoming the subject of a regulatory inquiry. The company, one of the more prominent players in mobile payments and financial services, had been preparing to go public when regulators opened their review. The pause leaves investors and market watchers awaiting further details on the nature of the inquiry and the timeline for any renewed listing plans.

Fintech companies Revolut, Nubank, Coinbase and Ripple have applied to operate as banks, a move being reported as a significant shift for the sector. The applications suggest these digital finance firms want to expand beyond their current services and compete directly with traditional banks, raising questions about regulation and the future of banking.

Pakistan's central bank has released draft rules for open banking, setting out a framework that would let banks share customer data with licensed third-party providers through secure interfaces. The move, reported by Dawn, signals preparation for a regulated open finance ecosystem aimed at boosting digital payments and fintech competition. Stakeholders are expected to review the draft before final regulations are issued.