Welcome to TechCrunch Fintech!\u00a0<\/p>\n
This week we\u2019re looking at some big valuation jumps, how Stripe is eyeing another shareholder sale, a colorful conversation with an early-stage VC, and more!<\/p>\n
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To get a roundup of TechCrunch\u2019s biggest and most important fintech stories delivered to your inbox every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. PT, <\/em>subscribe here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Last week was a good one when it came to funding for fintech startups. Riyadh-based Tabby <\/strong>became the most valuable fintech in MENA after securing $160 million<\/a> in a Series E round at a $3.3 billion valuation as it expands beyond buy now, pay later. That\u2019s double the $1.5 billion it was valued at just 18 months ago. Impressive. And, India\u2019s Zeta<\/strong>, a provider of banking software to banks and fintech startups, raised $50 million<\/a> from a strategic investor at a $2 billion valuation. That\u2019s up from the $1.15 billion price tag (pre-money) it earned in 2021. Meanwhile, Mercury<\/strong> is reportedly in talks to raise capital in a new round led by Sequoia<\/a> at an over $3 billion valuation, which would double the companies\u2019 value. (The company had no comment when TechCrunch reached out.) If these deals are any indication of what 2025 is going to be like, I\u2019m bracing myself. Starting to get 2021 flashbacks. (Not quite, but still\u2026)<\/p>\n Payments infrastructure giant Stripe<\/strong> is in talks for another shareholder sale<\/a> that could value the company at \u201cat least\u201d $85 billion, according to multiple reports and a source familiar with the matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lagos-based Raenest<\/strong>, which offers multi-currency accounts, has raised $11 million<\/a> in a funding round led by QED Investors to expand its reach across Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ghanian fintech Affinity Africa<\/strong> has raised $8 million<\/a> in seed funding to expand its financial products further across the country, where mobile money is the dominant financial tool.<\/p>\n Comulate<\/strong>, which builds tools to help insurers manage billing and revenue operations, has closed a $20 million Series B round<\/a> that it will use to expand its tech stack to cover more functions and scale operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cap table management firm Carta<\/strong> made headlines<\/a> in 2020 when its former marketing VP Emily Kramer filed a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and retaliation. That case was settled<\/a> in 2023. But since then, Carta has settled two other lawsuits filed by women who worked at the firm and alleged sexual harassment and discrimination, legal filings seen by TechCrunch show. Charles Rollet has more on this<\/a>.<\/p>\n Crypto exchange Coinbase<\/strong> is working on its reentry to India<\/a> more than a year after it officially ceased operations<\/a> in the world\u2019s most populous nation.<\/p>\n I had an absolute blast talking with Sheel Mohnot<\/a>, general partner of Better Tomorrow Ventures<\/strong> for TechCrunch\u2019s Equity Podcast. We chatted about everything from that time he was in a Justin Bieber video, to how social media has helped him win deals, to how he thinks fintech is making a major comeback<\/a>. <\/p>\n Speaking of mega-raises: Fraud detection startup Sardine AI wraps up $70M Series C<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vouch acquires StartSure Insurance Services; raises Series D funding<\/a><\/p>\n Varo CEO Colin Walsh taps Gavin Michael to succeed him<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Robinhood\u2019s Q4 crypto revenue soars 700% year-over-year<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for reading! Until next week\u00a0\u2026 follow me on X <\/em>@bayareawriter<\/em><\/a> for breaking fintech news, posts about coffee, and more.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThe big story<\/h2>\n
Show me the money<\/h2>\n
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High-interest headlines<\/h2>\n