Author: Pop Card

Zilch, the UK-based payments fintech, has been ranked as the country’s fastest-growing private unicorn in the latest Financial Times FT1000 list, cementing its position as a leader in the sector. The company has also been recognised as the second fastest-growing fintech or financial services firm across Europe. The ranking highlights Zilch’s remarkable expansion, with a compound annual revenue growth rate exceeding 300% over the past three years. The company, which pioneered the world’s first ad-subsidised payments network (ASPN), has seen its growth trajectory confirmed in multiple independent rankings, including The Sunday Times 100 Tech 2025 published in January. Sustained Growth…

Chinese collectibles giant POP MART has reported record-breaking financial results for 2024, with revenue soaring by 106.9% year-on-year to 13.04 billion RMB (£1.45 billion). The company’s adjusted net profit also surged by 185.9% to 3.4 billion RMB (£380 million), marking a period of exceptional growth both domestically and internationally. According to the company’s latest financial report, revenue from Mainland China reached 7.97 billion RMB (£890 million), an increase of 52.3%. Meanwhile, revenue from international markets, including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, climbed 375.2% to 5.07 billion RMB (£560 million), reflecting the brand’s successful global expansion. Strong growth across key IPs…

Video game commerce company Xsolla has announced the launch of the Journey of Indies (JOIN) Program, a new initiative aimed at supporting independent and mid-tier game developers across Latin America. The programme, created in partnership with Institutio Conecta and Indie Hero, will provide developers with funding, mentorship, and commercialisation tools to help scale their businesses. It is also backed by a grant from the Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Federal District (SECTI-DF), which will fund a dedicated video game hub in Brasilia. Speaking about the initiative, Xsolla’s Chief Strategy Officer Chris Hewish said: “LATAM is one of…

A new whitepaper proposes a regulated blockchain infrastructure as the solution to the challenges facing global finance, offering a secure, efficient, and transparent financial system that balances innovation with oversight. The paper, Regulated Blockchain: Infrastructure for Regulated DeFi, is authored by fintech expert Obi Emetarom, CEO and co-founder of Zone. It outlines a framework for a Regulated Internet of Value, where financial services can operate seamlessly within a blockchain-powered ecosystem under regulatory supervision. Challenges Facing Global Finance The financial sector is at a crossroads. While digital financial services have improved accessibility and convenience, they also present new risks. These include…

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced a partnership with Tomorrowland Brasil, making it the festival’s exclusive payment partner for 2025 and 2026. The deal will grant Bybit Card holders early access to tickets—a first in the festival’s history. Tomorrowland Brasil 2025 is set to take place from 10-12 October at Parque Maeda in Itu, São Paulo. The festival will feature its ‘LIFE’ mainstage theme, a continuation of the mythical world of Silvyra introduced at Tomorrowland Belgium in 2024. The setting will transport festivalgoers to an era of untamed beauty, coinciding with a rare celestial event—the alignment of two moons. Over three…

Technology solutions firm Stefanini has been named a Niche Player in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Service Integration and Management (SIAM) Services, reflecting its expertise in managing complex IT ecosystems. Stefanini, a global technology services provider, has been recognised as a Niche Player in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Service Integration and Management (SIAM) Services. The annual report, which evaluates vendors based on their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision, identifies key industry players offering IT service management solutions. Specialist Approach to SIAM With over 35 years of experience, Stefanini has established itself as a trusted partner…

Fintech company FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV) has reported a 4.1% increase in annual revenue to $1.8 billion for 2024, reflecting steady expansion and innovation in AI-driven credit technology. Net profit remained stable at $327.1 million, while transaction volume grew by 6.1% to $28.2 billion. The company’s international business continued its strong momentum, accounting for 21.4% of total revenue in Q4 2024. This growth was supported by 2.2 million new borrowers outside China, a 61% year-on-year increase. CEO Tiezheng Li credited FinVolution’s success to its strengths in technology, customer acquisition, and retention, expressing confidence in its future as a leading fintech…

A rapid expansion of Alipay+ payment acceptance has helped Malaysian businesses connect with more international customers, doubling the number of payment partners since its integration with DuitNow QR in October 2023. The partnership between Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) and Ant International—a leading digital payments and financial technology provider—has made Alipay+ the biggest contributor to cross-border QR payments in Malaysia. By December 2024, Malaysian merchants saw a sixfold increase in revenue, compared to the same period in 2023, thanks to rising tourism and seamless digital payment options. Expanding payment options for global travellers Through DuitNow QR, businesses can now accept payments…

A new book aims to help business leaders overcome the challenges of data analytics and unlock real value from their data. Drive RAPPID Results From Data, written by data analytics experts Zjaén Coetzee and Karl Dinkelmann, introduces a structured methodology to build data-confidence and ensure organisations make the most of their data investments. With the global Big Data analytics market estimated to have reached $348.21 billion in 2025, businesses are increasingly looking to data-driven strategies for growth. However, research suggests that 87% of data science projects never make it into production, leaving many organisations struggling to translate data into meaningful…

A leading accountancy and business figure has called for a radical overhaul of auditing practices to help prevent financial scandals, arguing that a more proactive approach is needed to ensure corporate transparency. Rod Sellers OBE, a prominent advocate for the accountancy profession, has co-authored a new book, Reflections on the Case for Audit Reform: Seeking to Avoid Future Financial Scandals, which proposes a significant shift in auditing methodology. The book, published today, was written in collaboration with the late Professor Krish Bhaskar, a highly respected academic in accounting and finance. The book argues that traditional audit practices, which rely on…