Latest news with #financialTechnology
Khaleej Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Diamonds enter the financial spotlight: A new era for Islamic finance and global trading
For centuries, diamonds have symbolised luxury and rarity. Now, a pioneering financial technology is transforming them into something far more significant: a regulated, tradable commodity with the potential to reshape Islamic finance and global investment. At the heart of this innovation lies a powerful realization. While gold and silver have long served as tangible assets for trading and wealth preservation, natural diamonds, despite representing a 1.2 trillion-dollar global resource, have remained largely inaccessible to investors due to their unique and varied characteristics. Unlike other commodities, each diamond is slightly different in quality and composition, preventing the creation of a transparent, universal pricing structure. 'Natural diamonds are the only major natural resource that global investors couldn't trade transparently,' explains Cormac Kinney, Founder and CEO of Diamond Standard. 'Each stone varies in carat, clarity and color, which has made standardization nearly impossible. But through computer science and quantitative trading, we developed a method to group diamonds into standardized, fungible units, all having the same value.' The result is a new form of investment-grade diamond bar, composed of stones carefully matched for value equivalence. These bars make it possible to trade diamonds in a manner similar to gold bullion, reliably, consistently and at scale. For Islamic finance in particular, the implications are substantial. Unlike metals such as copper, which are cumbersome and expensive to store and secure, diamond-based commodities are easier to custody and settle. This makes them an ideal asset for Murabaha-based financial instruments. Each diamond bar includes a wireless computer chip that allows custodians and financial institutions to verify the asset's presence and authenticity instantly. This chip issues a blockchain-based digital token that represents legal ownership of the physical commodity. The token itself is tradeable and can even be subdivided into micro-units called 'Carats,' each fully backed by the underlying diamonds. This system ensures a high level of flexibility, transparency and security in commodity trading. The launch of this innovation comes at a pivotal time. Recent regulatory changes in Islamic finance have restricted the use of derivatives such as options and warrants in Murabaha structures, pushing banks to seek new Shariah-compliant alternatives. 'All major Islamic banks are now looking for compliant substitutes for physical settlement,' says Kinney. 'We're not changing the process. We're simply offering a better, more cost-efficient commodity. That's why banks and service providers have responded with such strong interest.' Looking ahead, Kinney envisions a much larger role for diamonds in global finance. This includes their potential not only as a tradeable asset class but also as the foundation of a new digital currency. In a world increasingly interested in asset-backed digital systems, a diamond-backed currency could offer a Sharia-compliant and inflation-resistant alternative to cryptocurrencies. 'Many Islamic institutions reject speculative instruments like Bitcoin. But a digital currency backed by real, audited diamonds could provide stability and compliance in one package. It's a concept particularly attractive to BRICS countries and other diamond-producing nations,' adds Cormac Kinney. With global demand projected to reach 100 billion dollars across Islamic finance and digital currency applications, diamonds, once seen purely as symbols of wealth and luxury, may soon underpin a new chapter in financial history. No longer just ornamental, they could become a foundational asset in the evolving landscape of ethical, secure and innovative finance.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fidelity National (FIS) Expands Visa Partnership for Advanced Payment Solutions
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) is . On June 26, the company announced that it has expanded its partnership with Visa (NYSE:V) to provide new payment solutions for financial institutions. A business professional banking from their laptop, taking advantage of the company's investment services. According to the statement, the expanded collaboration focuses on delivering innovative payment solutions to regional and community banks. The goal is to enable them to compete with larger issuers by lowering barriers to advanced payment technologies. Fidelity National hopes that the capability will help the financial institutions 'grow revenues, enhance customer retention, and reduce fraud losses.' The new capabilities introduced include Stop Payment Services, which enable cardholders and call centers to halt recurring payments to merchants. Wallet Link allows issuers to push their branded digital card directly to a customer's digital wallet. At the same time, eCommerce Fraud Mitigation enables issuers to increase their eCommerce transaction approval rates and eliminate chargeback liability. Lastly, Digital Campaign Manager helps financial institutions leverage new marketing channels, including augmented reality events and other digital experiences, for customer acquisition and engagement. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) is a financial technology company. It provides banking and payment solutions to over 20,000 clients in more than 100 countries, including banks, capital markets firms, and businesses. Its main segments are Banking Solutions (core banking, digital banking, fraud and compliance tools) and Capital Market Solutions (trading, treasury, and risk management software). While we acknowledge the potential of FIS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Oracle vs. Intuit: Which Enterprise Software Giant Should You Bet On?
Two enterprise software giants are commanding investor attention as artificial intelligence reshapes the business solutions landscape. Oracle ORCL, the database and cloud infrastructure stalwart, and Intuit INTU, the financial technology platform behind TurboTax and QuickBooks, represent different approaches to serving enterprise and small-to-medium business markets. Both companies have demonstrated strong financial performance and are integrating AI capabilities across their platforms to drive growth. While Oracle focuses on large enterprise customers with comprehensive cloud infrastructure and database solutions, Intuit specializes in financial software for consumers and small businesses, leveraging its data-rich platform to deliver AI-powered experiences. Both companies are experiencing robust demand for their AI-enhanced offerings, with Oracle's cloud infrastructure seeing massive uptake from AI workloads and Intuit expanding its done-for-you AI agents across tax preparation and business management applications. Let's delve deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now. The Case for ORCL Stock Oracle's transformation into a cloud-first company continues gaining momentum, with the company reporting impressive growth metrics across its infrastructure and applications segments. The company's fourth-quarter results showed total cloud revenues growing 27% to $6.7 billion, while infrastructure-as-a-service revenues surged 52% to $3 billion. Oracle's remaining performance obligations reached $138 billion, representing a 41% increase year over year, providing strong revenue visibility. The company's competitive advantage lies in its differentiated cloud infrastructure designed specifically for enterprise workloads. Oracle's multi-cloud strategy, allowing customers to run Oracle databases across various cloud platforms, including Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS, addresses a critical market need for flexibility. This approach is driving significant database migration to the cloud, with Oracle 23 AI serving as an AI data platform that enables enterprises to leverage their proprietary data with popular large language models. However, Oracle faces challenges in scaling its infrastructure to meet astronomical demand. Management acknowledged having to turn away customers due to capacity constraints, and the company plans to increase capital expenditures to more than $25 billion in fiscal 2026. While this represents a significant investment opportunity, it also pressures near-term cash flows and margins. Additionally, Oracle operates in an intensely competitive cloud infrastructure market dominated by Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, requiring continuous innovation and substantial capital allocation to maintain its market position. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.71 per share, up 1.1% over the past 30 days. Find the latest earnings estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar. The Case for INTU Stock Intuit represents a compelling growth story fueled by its AI-driven transformation of financial software solutions. The company's strategic focus on serving the entire spectrum from consumers to mid-market businesses through an integrated platform creates multiple expansion opportunities. Recent quarterly results demonstrated this momentum, with revenue growing 15.1% and the company raising full-year guidance based on strong performance across all segments. The company's Generative AI Operating System provides a significant competitive moat, enabling breakthrough done-for-you experiences that automate complex tasks for customers. Intuit's recent partnership with Google Cloud enhances tax preparation capabilities, while its upcoming AI agents for customer management, payments, finance, and accounting promise to revolutionize small business operations. The acquisition of GoCo strengthens Intuit's human capital management offerings, positioning the company as a comprehensive business platform. Intuit's recurring revenue model, with 77% of total revenues coming from subscriptions, provides exceptional business stability and predictability. The company's TurboTax Live segment is experiencing remarkable growth, with customer growth expected at 24% and revenue growth at 47% for the fiscal year. Credit Karma's 31% revenue growth in the third quarter demonstrates successful expansion beyond core tax and accounting services. The mid-market opportunity through Intuit Enterprise Suite represents a substantial growth catalyst, as the company leverages its AI capabilities to serve businesses with $2.5 million to $100 million in annual revenues. This market expansion, combined with the company's strong cash generation and disciplined capital allocation, positions Intuit for sustained double-digit growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 earnings is pegged at $20.06 per share, up 0.4% over the past 30 days. Valuation and Price Performance Both Oracle and Intuit trade at premium valuations reflecting their strong market positions and growth prospects. Oracle has demonstrated superior stock performance with shares gaining 27.7% year to date, outpacing Intuit's 23% rise and the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. ORCL Outperforms INTU, Sector YTD However, Intuit commands a significant valuation premium with a price-to-sales ratio of 10.4x compared to Oracle's 8.89x multiple. Intuit commands an even higher valuation multiple, justified by its predictable subscription revenue model and expanding total addressable market. ORCL vs. INTU: P/S F12M Ratio Conclusion Intuit emerges as the superior investment opportunity for the second half of 2025, offering better upside potential through its comprehensive AI-driven platform strategy, diversified revenue streams, and expanding market opportunity. The company's recurring revenue model provides greater stability, while its focus on serving the underserved small-to-medium business market presents a larger growth runway compared to Oracle's enterprise-focused approach. Intuit's successful integration of AI across tax preparation, accounting, and business management creates multiple monetization opportunities with higher margins than Oracle's capital-intensive infrastructure business. Investors should buy Intuit stock to capitalize on its accelerating growth trajectory, while holding Oracle or waiting for a better entry point, given its substantial capital requirements and competitive pressures in cloud infrastructure. INTU currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), whereas ORCL has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double" Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Intuit Inc. (INTU): Free Stock Analysis Report
Bloomberg
10-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mortgage Lender Better Taps Ex-FHFA Fintech Lead to Spearhead AI Platform
Mortgage lender Better tapped the Federal Housing Finance Agency's former financial technology lead, Leah Price, to helm its artificial intelligence platform. Price left the FHFA roughly a year and a half after joining the government agency to ramp up its integration of generative artificial intelligence.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GO INVEST LLC Announces the Acquisition of FireFly Star, Rebranded as Flicker Algo.
GO INVEST LLC, a global comprehensive financial technology group, is making waves with the completion of the full acquisition of the leading quantitative trading platform Firefly Star. These two parties merged into Flicker Algo to create a new highland for global intelligent trading. EDINBURGH, GB / / May 31, 2025 / In the latest record, GO INVEST LLC announces the acquisition of FireFly Star, rebranded as Flicker Algo. After the completion of this transaction, the two brands will be integrated into Flicker Algo and will continue the original quantitative trading business and obtain major upgrades in capital, compliance, technology, global resources, etc. The company also highlights the strategic significance of this acquisition which is not only an integration at the capital level but also a deep collaboration between the two parties in terms of financial technology capabilities and global development goals. Through the acquisition, GO INVEST LLC bought Flicker Algo's key dimension synergy benefits. Compliance upgrade Flicker Algo will be included in the company's SEC compliance system, obtain higher international compliance standards support, and facilitate global market expansion. The company improved capital capacity by obtaining group capital injection for trading engine upgrades, AI strategy research and development, and multi-market deployment to promote technological leadership. Moreover, Flicker Algo's user structure will be accelerated from individuals to institutions which will help GO INVEST LLC to expand its customer base. The company emphasized that Flicker Algo's credibility is held by an entity regulated by the SEC, which is more credible and has market influence in front of investors, cooperative institutions, and regulators. In addition, GO INVEST LLC will collaborate with Flicker Algo to achieve technology sharing and R&D collaboration and accelerate the launch of system-level products such as intelligent trading systems, cross-chain asset allocation, and blockchain risk control. The company focuses on the integration where Flicker Algo will maintain the independent operation of the core team, the original business structure will remain unchanged, and the focus will be on the following strategic upgrades: Launch Flicker Algo Trading System V3.0 support AI-driven strategy portfolio automatic optimization and real-time risk control system Issue Platform Governance Token FAO used for community incentives, fee deductions, DAO proposals, and voting governance Deploy DAO Governance System realize community co-governance and platform development rights decentralization Develop Institutional-level Financial Services including smart investment advisors, custody solutions, and cross-chain portfolio allocation Expand the global compliance market expand to sovereign markets such as Europe, the Middle East, Singapore, and Latin America, and cooperate with local registration and license applications. "We welcome and look forward to integrating with the world's top financial groups and entering a new growth curve together", said James Carter, founder of Flicker Algo. About GO INVEST LLC: Headquartered in the United States, GO INVEST LLC is a company holding SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)-an international financial holding securities company with regulatory qualifications. The company is committed to connecting global assets and investors with technology. It covers diversified asset management, traditional securities investment, futures, foreign exchange, and crypto asset trading and custody. It is committed to building a global platform that integrates traditional finance and emerging finance. It has multiple global operating nodes and builds a global investment infrastructure with "compliance, security, and intelligence" as the core. About Flicker Algo: Flicker Algo, known as a global intelligent quantitative trading platform, that focuses on multi-strategy asset trading systems (covering encryption and foreign exchange products). Intelligent strategy structure and server-level automated trading system and AI risk control model. Since its establishment in 2019, the platform has accumulated access to more than 228 sets of algorithmic strategies, supporting more than 30 trading markets, and users covering Asia, North America, Latin America, and other regions. Corporate website: email: service@ KHURSHEED Ali SOURCE: Flicker Algo View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
