⚖️ Apple Lawsuit Dropped

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Hey Fintech Explorers—Welcome back to Money Explored, your essential Sunday briefing on the most important fintech plays around the globe!

This week, lawsuits get dropped, stocks go sky-high, and tokenized trading levels up. The clash between traditional finance and Web3 is only getting wilder.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Apple, Visa, and Mastercard dodge an antitrust lawsuit ⚖️

• Robinhood’s rally faces heat from regulators 🚨

• Kraken and Bybit launch 24/5 tokenized stock trading 📈

Plus: One African fintech just landed big in Senegal, JPMorgan throws a data curveball, and the SEC drops a surprise for crypto ETFs.

It’s all happening—and that’s just the start…

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Let’s dive in!

🌎 3 Major Stories

Dive into this week’s top Fintech developments.

Judge Dismisses Apple, Visa, and Mastercard Lawsuit ⚖️

The Big Story 📰: A federal judge dealt a significant blow to an antitrust lawsuit targeting Apple, Visa, and Mastercard by dismissing the case, which accused these firms of colluding to limit competition in the payments space. U.S. District Judge David Dugan ruled that the merchants who filed the lawsuit lacked sufficient evidence to prove that Apple intentionally refrained from launching a competing payment network against Visa and Mastercard. Although the judge found the plaintiffs' arguments largely circumstantial, he allowed them to amend their case. The ruling arrives amid the growing popularity of mobile wallets, which currently represent 21% of all in-store transactions globally.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: This legal victory for tech and payment giants underscores the complexities of antitrust cases in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape. The dismissal not only prevents immediate disruptions for these companies but also emphasizes the need for solid evidence when challenging big players in court. For industry stakeholders, this ruling could signal a more cautious approach to competitive strategy and alliances, as companies navigate potential legal obstacles. As mobile wallets gain traction, understanding the implications of such rulings will be crucial for fintech firms aiming to innovate without running afoul of regulatory scrutiny.

Robinhood's 160% Surge Faces Regulatory Storm 🚨

The Big Story 📰: Robinhood's stock has skyrocketed by over 160% in 2025, hitting a record high of $101 before closing slightly down. This surge mirrors the overall rise in cryptocurrency and fintech stocks. However, Robinhood faces multiple challenges, including scrutiny from Florida's Attorney General concerning misleading claims about crypto trading costs and opposition to new staking fees. The recent move by JPMorgan to start charging fintechs for customer data access adds to the pressure, potentially affecting Robinhood's cost structure and market competition. With mounting regulatory pressures and heightened competition, the future remains uncertain for this bold player in the fintech space.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: Robinhood's impressive growth this year is a double-edged sword, as regulatory scrutiny and evolving market dynamics threaten its momentum. The scrutiny over its crypto practices and staking fees signals a critical need for transparency in the fintech world. These unfolding challenges may deter investors wary of regulatory obstacles, impacting not just Robinhood but also its broader competitive landscape. With increasing costs looming, fintech companies must adapt rapidly to protect profit margins and maintain customer trust—making it essential for both investors and startups to keep a close eye on Robinhood’s next moves and the regulatory landscape.

Kraken & Bybit's xStocks: New Era for Trading 📈

The Big Story 📰: Kraken and Bybit have jumped into the deep end of stock tokenization by launching xStocks, rolling out over 60 tokenized U.S. stocks including top names like Apple and Amazon. This innovative platform allows for a 24/5 trading window, breaking the constraints of traditional market hours and creating a seamless bridge between decentralized finance (DeFi) and conventional equity trading. Each tokenized share is tied directly to its real-world counterpart, bolstering trust and regulatory compliance. Moreover, by integrating these stocks into the Solana DeFi ecosystem, users can utilize them in liquidity pools and other on-chain activities, marking a significant evolution in financial products and their accessibility.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: The launch of xStocks represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing push for integrating crypto solutions with traditional finance. By enabling continuous access to tokenized equities, Kraken and Bybit are not just fostering investment freedom but also appealing to a global audience that craves flexibility in trading. This move could signal a substantial shift in how investors approach asset trading, particularly for those outside the U.S. who previously faced barriers to accessing U.S. equities. As the industry embraces more tokenization efforts, this could lay the groundwork for a future where financial assets are predominantly managed on blockchain platforms, increasing both transparency and investment opportunities. The stakes are high, and now is the time for fintech enthusiasts and investors to stay alerted to these transformative changes.

🔍 What Else We’re Watching

Keep an eye on these evolving Fintech Narratives.

• Flutterwave Supercharges Senegal's Payments ⚡️: Flutterwave has snagged a Payment Institution license from the Central Bank of West African States, marking a major leap for digital payments in Senegal. This license empowers the fintech powerhouse to roll out seamless payment services, enhancing collections, payouts, and online transactions for local businesses. CEO Olugbenga “GB” Agboola emphasizes that simplifying financial flows is vital for Africa's growth. With this move, Flutterwave not only boosts Senegal’s digital economy but aims to unlock wider opportunities across West Africa.

• JPMorgan's New Data Pricing Strategy 💳: JPMorgan Chase has announced its plan to start charging fintech companies for access to customer bank data. This move raises eyebrows in the industry, as access to customer financial data has been crucial for various tech firms seeking to enhance their services. The banking giant’s strategy could dramatically shift the dynamics of fintech partnerships and data sharing, challenging smaller players who rely on free access to bank data. As competition heats up, it remains to be seen how this decision will affect innovation and collaboration in the fintech landscape.

• SEC's Game-Changing Crypto ETF Guidelines 🚀 : The SEC has introduced new guidelines for crypto ETFs that could pave the way for quicker approvals of altcoin funds. This shift aims to replace the lengthy case-by-case application process—potentially cutting approval times from 240 days to just 75. By fostering a universal listing framework, the SEC hopes to standardize processes around valuation and risk, promoting smoother entries for ETFs tracking assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. As anticipation builds, the crypto investment landscape looks set for a major evolution.

💸 Major Money Moves

Tracking big market shifts in Fintech this week.

• iCapital Rakes in $820M, Hits $7.5B Valuation 💥: iCapital, the New York-based alternative investment platform, has raised over $820 million, soaring its valuation to $7.5 billion. Co-led by T. Rowe Price Associates and SurgoCap Partners, the funding will fuel strategic acquisitions aimed at enhancing the client experience and expanding asset manager reach. Currently managing $945 billion in global assets, including $257 billion in alternative investments, iCapital is well-positioned to capitalize on the projected growth of up to $20 trillion in private markets by 2030. With 1,875 employees across 16 offices, the company continues to thrive!

• CoreWeave Goes Big, Acquires Core Scientific for $9B Deal 🤯: In a bold move set to reshape the AI infrastructure landscape, CoreWeave has announced a $9 billion all-stock acquisition of Core Scientific. This deal is a strategic play to enhance data center capacity and reduce leasing costs as AI needs soar. Core Scientific’s transformation from Bitcoin mining to an AI-focused infrastructure provider propelled its appeal. The acquisition grants CoreWeave significant operational control, positioning it to meet growing demands for high-performance computing. With closure expected by Q4 2025, the stakes have never been higher in the AI infrastructure race!

• Huspy's Big Push with $59M Raise! 🚀: Dubai-based mortgage fintech Huspy recently secured $59 million in Series B funding, setting its sights on expanding into Saudi Arabia and accelerating growth in Europe. The funding round had key support from Balderton Capital and Peak XV Partners, indicating strong investor confidence. With over $7 billion in real estate transactions under its belt, Huspy is now diving into new markets, aiming to streamline the often complex mortgage processes. As digital mortgage solutions gain traction, Huspy positions itself to redefine real estate financing across the region.

Thanks for reading and have a relaxing Sunday,

Derek,
Editor, Money Explored.